Can I get Social Security benefits as a lifelong homemaker with no income of my own?

Good news! You absolutely qualify for spousal benefits based on your husband's work record. As a spouse, you can receive up to 50% of your husband's primary insurance amount (PIA) if you wait until your full retirement age (FRA). If you claim at 62, you'll get a reduced amount - around 32-35% of his PIA instead of the full 50%. And yes, you can claim even though you didn't contribute through your own work history. That's exactly what spousal benefits are designed for! Just make sure your husband has already filed for his own benefits (sounds like he has).

I was in almost the exact same situation! Homemaker for 35 years and worried I wouldn't get anything. The previous comment is correct - you can get spousal benefits based on your husband's work record. But one thing to think about: if you wait until your Full Retirement Age (probably 67 depending on your birth year), you'll get the maximum 50% of his benefit. But if you claim at 62, you'll get permanently reduced benefits. Also, make sure you understand that when your husband passes away (hopefully many years from now!), you'll be eligible for survivor benefits which would be 100% of what he was receiving. So sometimes it makes sense to take your reduced spousal benefit early and then switch to the survivor benefit later.

my mom got spousal benefits and she never worked a day in her life outside the home!! she gets like 40% of what dad gets i think. you just need to bring your marriage certificate to SSA when you apply they'll want proof

Be careful when applying! The SSA's phone lines are completely overwhelmed these days and most people can't get through. When I tried helping my sister apply for spousal benefits, we spent WEEKS trying to reach someone. What finally worked was using Claimyr.com - it got us through to an agent in under 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works at https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU. Saved us so much frustration and time! As for your situation - yes, you're entitled to spousal benefits! They'll be up to 50% of your husband's PIA (not his actual benefit amount, but the base amount at his full retirement age). But calculating the exact amount can be tricky with various factors.

THE SSA SYSTEM IS RIGGED AGAINST HOMEMAKERS!!! Yes you get benefits but only 50% even though you probably worked JUST AS HARD at home!! And if you take it early they PENALIZE you even more!! The system doesn't value women's unpaid work and it's DISGRACEFUL. My mother raised 4 kids and kept a home for 45 years but only got a tiny check compared to my dad.

I'm in a similar boat but I did work part-time on and off over the years. I was told I should still check my own work record because if I have enough credits (40 quarters/10 years), I might qualify for my own benefit if it's higher than the spousal benefit. You probably don't have enough credits, but it's worth checking your record on the mySocialSecurity website just to be sure. Something else to consider: if your husband passes away, you'd be eligible for his FULL benefit amount as a widow, not just the 50% spousal amount. So sometimes financial planners suggest the lower-earning spouse claim early while the higher earner delays as long as possible (to age 70) to maximize the eventual survivor benefit.

Wait I'm confused about something... if your husband is already collecting SS and you apply for spousal benefits now at 62, will your benefit be reduced because you're claiming early? Or is it only reduced based on when HE claimed? Anyone know for sure how this works?

i heard somewhere that you needed to be married at least 10 years to get spousal benefits is that true???

One more thing I forgot to mention - when you apply for spousal benefits, they'll automatically check if you qualify for benefits on your own record first. If you do have some work history (even a little), they'll pay your own retirement benefit first, then add enough of the spousal benefit to bring you up to the spouse rate you're entitled to. It's called a "deemed filing" and it happens automatically. Also, something to consider: if your husband worked for a government employer where he didn't pay into Social Security (like some state or local government jobs), your spousal benefits could be reduced by something called the Government Pension Offset (GPO). Just flagging in case that applies to your situation.

when u go to apply make SURE u bring id, marriage certificate, and hubby's ssn they'll ask for all that. and try to get an appointment!!! the walk-in wait times are CRAZY these days

Just wanted to add some encouragement here! I was in almost exactly your situation - stay-at-home mom for 40+ years, husband already collecting SS, and I was so anxious about whether I'd qualify for anything. The spousal benefits really are a lifesaver! One tip that helped me: before you apply, create your online mySocialSecurity account at ssa.gov. Even though you probably don't have enough work credits, you can see your complete earnings history and it helps the application process go smoother when you already have an account set up. Plus you can see exactly what your spousal benefit estimate would be at different claiming ages. Also, don't let anyone pressure you into claiming early or waiting - the decision really depends on your family's specific financial situation. Some people need the money right away at 62, others can afford to wait for the higher benefit at FRA. Both choices are valid! You've earned this benefit through all your years of supporting your family.

I just wanted to chime in as someone who works with retirement planning - you're absolutely right to be thinking about this now! The good news is that spousal benefits are specifically designed for situations like yours. One thing I'd add to the great advice already given: when you do apply, make sure to ask about "restricted application" strategies if you have ANY work history at all. Even if you only worked briefly, sometimes there are timing strategies that can maximize your household's total benefits over time. Also, don't forget that your spousal benefit will receive cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) just like your husband's benefit, so it's not a fixed amount forever. And if you're still concerned about long-term financial security, this might be a good time to explore other retirement savings options or part-time work if you're interested and able. You've contributed enormously to your family's success as a homemaker - this benefit recognizes that contribution!

I see you've gotten some excellent advice here already! As someone who went through this process recently, I just wanted to add a few practical tips that made my experience smoother: 1. When you call or visit SSA, ask specifically about the "spousal benefit calculator" - they can run scenarios showing exactly what you'd receive at 62 vs waiting until your FRA. Having those concrete numbers really helped me make my decision. 2. Don't be surprised if the first SSA representative you speak with gives you slightly different information than the second one - the rules are complex and not everyone explains them the same way. If something doesn't sound right, don't hesitate to ask to speak with a supervisor or call back to double-check. 3. Consider the tax implications too - your spousal benefits may be taxable depending on your household's total income. This might affect your decision about when to claim. You're in good company - millions of homemakers receive spousal benefits! The system recognizes that marriage is an economic partnership, and your years of unpaid work absolutely have value. Don't let anyone make you feel like you haven't "earned" these benefits - you have!

I just wanted to add something that might be helpful - if you decide to wait until your full retirement age to claim spousal benefits, you can still apply up to 6 months retroactively once you do file. So if you turn 67 in January but don't apply until June, they can backdate your benefits to January and give you those missed months in a lump sum. Also, I noticed some mentions of widow benefits earlier - it's worth noting that if you're receiving spousal benefits and your husband passes away, the transition to survivor benefits is usually automatic. You don't have to reapply; SSA will just switch you over to the higher amount (which would be 100% of what he was receiving). One last thing - if you have any concerns about your ability to manage finances on your own, now might be a good time to get more involved in your household's financial planning. Many spouses who handled homemaking duties exclusively find it overwhelming to suddenly manage retirement benefits, taxes, and other financial matters. There are resources available to help with financial literacy if you need them! You should feel proud of the life you've built supporting your family. These benefits exist precisely because society recognizes the value of that contribution.

I'm so glad you posted this question! As a newcomer to this community, I've been reading through all these responses and learning so much. I'm actually in a somewhat similar situation - I'm 58 and have been primarily a homemaker, though I did work part-time occasionally over the years. What really strikes me from reading everyone's advice is how supportive and knowledgeable this community is. The information about spousal benefits being up to 50% of your husband's PIA at your FRA, the details about early claiming reductions, and especially the practical tips about setting up a mySocialSecurity account and what documents to bring - this is exactly the kind of real-world guidance that's so hard to find elsewhere. I particularly appreciated the comments about not letting anyone pressure you on timing and recognizing that homemaking IS valuable work. It's easy to feel like we haven't "earned" anything when we haven't had traditional employment, but supporting a family and managing a household absolutely has economic value. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and expertise here. This thread is going to help so many people in similar situations!

Welcome to our community! I'm so glad you found this thread helpful. As someone who's been navigating similar waters, I wanted to add one more practical tip that I don't think anyone mentioned yet: when you do apply for spousal benefits, consider asking about direct deposit setup right away. It makes everything so much simpler than waiting for paper checks in the mail. Also, I've found it really helpful to keep a simple notebook or folder with all my Social Security related documents and notes from phone calls. The process can involve multiple conversations over time, and having everything in one place has saved me from repeating myself or forgetting important details. You're absolutely right about this community being incredibly supportive. I've learned more here in a few months than I did from years of trying to figure things out on my own. The combination of personal experiences and practical knowledge people share here is invaluable. For anyone reading this thread in the future who's in a similar situation - you're not alone, and there are people here who genuinely want to help you navigate these systems successfully!

As someone who just joined this community, I have to say this thread has been incredibly enlightening! I'm 59 and in a very similar situation - been a homemaker for most of my adult life while my husband worked. Reading through everyone's responses has given me so much hope and practical information that I never would have found on the SSA website alone. The breakdown of spousal benefits (up to 50% at FRA vs. reduced amounts for early claiming) really helps put things in perspective. And all the practical tips - from setting up the mySocialSecurity account beforehand to bringing the right documents and even using services like Claimyr to get through phone lines - this is the kind of real-world advice that makes all the difference. What really resonates with me is how this community validates that homemaking IS valuable work. After decades of not having a "traditional" job, it's easy to feel like you haven't contributed economically, but reading these responses reminds me that supporting a family and managing a household absolutely has value. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and expertise. This thread is going to be a lifesaver for so many of us in similar situations! I'm bookmarking it to refer back to as I approach my own decision-making time.

Welcome to both of you! I'm also fairly new to this community and have been amazed by the wealth of knowledge and support here. Reading through this entire thread has been like getting a masterclass in Social Security spousal benefits! What strikes me most is how this discussion has evolved from one person's specific question into a comprehensive guide that covers so many aspects: the basic 50% spousal benefit rule, early vs. full retirement age claiming strategies, required documentation, practical tips for dealing with SSA, survivor benefits, and even the emotional side of recognizing homemaking as valuable work. I'm 57 and starting to think seriously about these issues myself. Like many of you, I've been primarily focused on homemaking and child-rearing while my spouse handled the traditional career path. This thread has given me such a clear roadmap for what to expect and how to prepare. The recurring theme about homemaking being real, valuable work really resonates. It's so easy to internalize society's tendency to only recognize paid work as "real" contribution, but managing a household, raising children, and supporting a spouse's career absolutely has economic value - the spousal benefit system exists precisely because of this recognition. Thank you to everyone who has shared their experiences, expertise, and encouragement. This is exactly the kind of supportive community that makes navigating these complex systems feel manageable rather than overwhelming!

As a newcomer to this community, I just want to say thank you to everyone who has contributed to this incredibly helpful thread! I'm 53 and starting to think about these questions for my own future - I've been a homemaker for over 30 years while my husband has been our sole income provider. Reading through all these responses has been so educational and reassuring. The detailed explanations about spousal benefits, the practical tips for applying, and especially the validation that homemaking IS valuable work - it all means so much. I had no idea about things like the mySocialSecurity account setup, the benefit calculators SSA can run, or services like Claimyr for getting through their phone lines. What really stands out to me is how supportive this community is. Everyone is sharing real experiences and practical wisdom, not just repeating official policy. The encouragement about homemakers deserving these benefits has been particularly meaningful - it's easy to feel like we haven't "contributed" in a measurable way, but you're all right that supporting a family IS an economic contribution. I'm bookmarking this thread to reference as I get closer to my own decision-making time. Thank you for creating such a welcoming space where people can get both practical information and emotional support for navigating these complex systems!

As a newcomer to this community, I'm absolutely amazed by the wealth of knowledge and support I've found in this thread! I'm 61 and will be eligible for Social Security in just one year, and like many of you, I've been a homemaker for most of my adult life while my husband worked. Reading through everyone's responses has been incredibly reassuring and educational. The clear explanations about spousal benefits being up to 50% of your husband's PIA at full retirement age, the practical tips about setting up a mySocialSecurity account beforehand, and all the real-world advice about dealing with SSA representatives - this is exactly the kind of guidance that's so hard to find elsewhere. What really resonates with me is how this community validates that our work as homemakers has genuine value. After decades of not receiving a paycheck, it's easy to feel like we haven't "earned" anything, but seeing how the spousal benefit system specifically recognizes the economic partnership of marriage has really helped me reframe my thinking. I'm particularly grateful for the practical tips about documentation (marriage certificate, ID, spouse's SSN), the suggestion to make appointments rather than walk-ins, and even the recommendation for Claimyr to help get through SSA phone lines. Having this roadmap makes the whole process feel much less intimidating. Thank you to everyone who has shared their experiences and expertise here. This thread has become an invaluable resource that I'll definitely be referring back to as I make my own decisions over the next year!