Many people wonder if it is possible to receive more than one Social Security benefit payment. The answer is yes, under certain circumstances, you can receive two Social Security payments. However, there are rules and restrictions around when and how this can occur. In this article, we’ll explore the situations where someone might qualify for two Social Security payments and how the rules work.
Retirement and spousal benefits
One of the most common ways to receive two Social Security payments is to collect both your own retirement benefit and a spousal benefit based on your spouse’s earnings record. Here’s how it works:
When you claim your own Social Security retirement benefit, you’ll receive payments based on your own lifetime earnings history. However, you may also be eligible for a spousal benefit of up to 50% of your spouse’s Social Security benefit amount if that amount is higher than your own benefit.
To qualify for spousal benefits, you must be at least 62 years old, your spouse must already be receiving Social Security retirement benefits, and your spousal benefit must be higher than your own benefit amount. You can apply for both benefits and Social Security will effectively pay you the higher amount. So you’d get your own benefit plus an additional amount to make up the difference up to that 50% spousal benefit limit.
Example
Let’s look at an example to illustrate how this works:
| Your own retirement benefit: | $1,000 per month |
| Your spouse’s retirement benefit: | $2,000 per month |
| Potential spousal benefit (50% of spouse’s): | $1,000 per month |
In this scenario, you would receive your own $1,000 retirement benefit plus an additional $500 spousal benefit, for a total of $1,500 per month from Social Security.
Restrictions
There are a few key restrictions to keep in mind with spousal benefits:
- You cannot claim spousal benefits only – you must also claim your own retirement benefit.
- At your full retirement age, you have the option to switch to receive only the spousal benefit amount if it is higher. This is called “file and suspend.”
- The total amount you receive cannot exceed your spouse’s full retirement benefit amount.
So in short, with proper planning, you can potentially receive both your own Social Security retirement benefit plus a spousal benefit. This allows higher earners to share their benefits with their spouses.
Retirement and disability benefits
Another situation where you can receive two Social Security payments is if you qualify for both retirement and disability benefits.
Specifically, if you received Social Security disability benefits prior to reaching full retirement age, and then switch to retirement benefits at full retirement age, your disability benefit converts to your retirement benefit. So you’ll receive that retirement benefit plus a supplement to make up for the fact that disability benefits are reduced compared to retirement benefits.
Let’s explain this in more detail:
- Social Security disability benefits are reduced compared to retirement benefits. Disability only pays 100% of your calculated benefit during the first 12 months. After that, your monthly payment is potentially reduced depending on your total earnings history and when you became disabled.
- When you reach full retirement age (currently 66 or 67 depending on your birth year), your disability benefit automatically converts to a full retirement benefit, since the eligibility requirements for reduced disability no longer apply.
- To make up for those prior years of reduced disability payments, Social Security adds a supplement to your monthly retirement benefit. This supplement approximates the difference between what you were paid on disability versus what you would have been paid for retirement during those same years.
So in the end, you receive your full retirement benefit plus a supplemental amount to make you whole for the years you were collecting disability.
Example
Here’s a hypothetical example to illustrate:
| Calculated retirement benefit at full retirement age: | $2,000 per month |
| Disability benefit received prior to retirement age: | $1,500 per month |
| Supplemental amount added at retirement: | $300 per month |
In this scenario, once you reach full retirement age your $1,500 disability payment will convert to the full $2,000 retirement benefit, and Social Security will also add the $300 supplemental amount. So you end up receiving $2,300 per month total.
Retirement and survivor benefits
A third situation where two Social Security payments can come into play is when you receive both your own retirement benefit and a survivor benefit based on your deceased spouse’s earnings record.
If your spouse passes away and you have reached full retirement age, you can switch to the higher of either your own benefit or your survivor benefit, whichever amount is greater. The survivor benefit would be equal to 100% of the deceased spouse’s benefit.
In addition, you may be able to apply for your own reduced retirement benefit first, and then switch to the full survivor benefit once you reach full retirement age. During the transition, you’d receive your own reduced retirement benefit plus an excess survivor benefit to match what you’re eligible for.
Let’s look at some examples to show how this could work:
Example 1
| Your retirement benefit at 62: | $750 per month |
| Deceased spouse’s benefit: | $1,500 per month |
In this case, you could take your reduced $750 retirement benefit starting at age 62. Then at your full retirement age, switch to the full $1,500 survivor benefit. This would maximize your total lifetime benefits.
Example 2
| Your retirement benefit at 66: | $1,200 per month |
| Deceased spouse’s benefit: | $1,500 per month |
Here, you could start by taking your $1,200 retirement benefit at age 66. You’d also get an excess survivor benefit of $300, bringing you up to the full $1,500 amount you’re eligible for as the survivor. Then at any point if your own benefit surpassed $1,500 due to delayed credits, you could switch to that higher amount.
The key is that you’ll receive the highest amount you’re eligible for, whether retirement or survivor benefit. And you can coordinate both to maximize your lifetime benefits.
Other dual benefit scenarios
There are a couple other limited situations where two Social Security benefits can come into play:
- Divorced spouse benefits – If you were married for at least 10 years before divorcing, you can claim a spousal benefit based on your ex-spouse’s earnings record, as long as they are eligible for benefits. The same monthly maximums apply, and you cannot claim this benefit only without claiming your own benefit.
- Dually entitled child benefits – Children can receive benefits based on a retired, disabled or deceased parent’s record, subject to maximum family limits. In rare cases, a child may be able to receive benefits based on more than one working record. This occurs when combining benefits across parents and step-parents.
Overall, these situations are less common than spousal and survivor benefits, but can allow a beneficiary to receive two benefit payments under the right circumstances.
Things to keep in mind about receiving two benefits
If you believe you may qualify for two Social Security benefit payments, here are some key things to keep in mind:
- Always make sure to coordinate timing of claims to maximize total benefits.
- You cannot receive two full benefit amounts – total payments are capped based on the higher earner’s record.
- If benefits can be combined, Social Security will calculate and coordinate payments automatically.
- Two-benefit situations are often time sensitive and change at full retirement age – plan applications carefully.
- Consider survivor benefits even if you’ve remarried – your new spouse’s income may not impact eligibility.
- Check benefit estimates annually – amounts can change and new options may become available.
Consulting with a financial advisor knowledgeable about Social Security can help you evaluate whether you qualify for two benefits and how to optimize the amounts and timing. The Social Security Administration can also provide information about your particular situation.
Potential changes ahead
While receiving two Social Security benefits is possible today, be aware that proposals have been discussed over the years to limit or eliminate certain types of dual-benefit arrangements. This could include changes to spousal benefits claiming strategies or survivor benefits.
Social Security is facing long-term financial challenges, so while no specific policy changes have been enacted yet, there are no guarantees that the current rules and provisions will remain intact for future beneficiaries. Staying up to date on potential reforms will be important.
Conclusion
Receiving two Social Security benefit payments from a single earnings record is restricted – you cannot simply get two full retirement checks, for example. But in certain circumstances based on spousal earnings or survivor benefits, it is possible to receive two payments subject to eligibility rules and total benefit caps.
Coordinating benefits and timing of claims is crucial to maximize total lifetime benefits. Changes may occur in the future, so stay informed and seek expert advice about your specific situation. With proper planning however, qualifying for two Social Security payments can provide a valuable income boost in retirement.