{"id":337,"date":"2020-04-18T18:21:00","date_gmt":"2020-04-18T18:21:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog-2023\/?p=337"},"modified":"2023-06-22T20:00:30","modified_gmt":"2023-06-22T20:00:30","slug":"can-you-collect-social-security-if-you-never-worked","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/can-you-collect-social-security-if-you-never-worked\/","title":{"rendered":"Can You Collect Social Security If You Never Worked?"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"337\" class=\"elementor elementor-337\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-626053b elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"626053b\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-5a405a2\" data-id=\"5a405a2\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-051fc43 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"051fc43\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.13.3 - 28-05-2023 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#69727d;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#69727d;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t<p>It may seem logical that if you never worked \u2014 and therefore never paid into Social Security \u2014 that you would not be eligible to receive Social Security benefits. Well, that\u2019s not the case. In fact, there are several different scenarios in which a person can receive\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/social-security-retirement-benefits\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Social Security benefits<\/a>\u00a0without ever having paid into the system, or even worked, for that matter.<\/p><p>Among the people eligible for\u00a0Social Security\u00a0without having worked are spouses and former spouses of people who are eligible for benefits, and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/social-security-widows-benefits-checklist\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">survivors of beneficiaries<\/a>\u00a0along with their qualified children.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-14ef4b4 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"14ef4b4\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-d475703\" data-id=\"d475703\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2708117 elementor-widget elementor-widget-template\" data-id=\"2708117\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"template.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-template\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"section\" data-elementor-id=\"196\" class=\"elementor elementor-196\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-339b45e0 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"339b45e0\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3f771e94\" data-id=\"3f771e94\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-44435407 elementor-cta--skin-classic elementor-animated-content elementor-bg-transform elementor-bg-transform-zoom-in elementor-widget elementor-widget-call-to-action\" data-id=\"44435407\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"call-to-action.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<link rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/elementor\/css\/custom-pro-widget-call-to-action.min.css?ver=1764022918\">\t\t<a class=\"elementor-cta\" href=\"https:\/\/simplywise.app.link\/Iv0wVANrvfb\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-content-item elementor-cta__content-item elementor-icon-wrapper elementor-cta__icon elementor-view-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"far fa-lightbulb\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-cta__title elementor-cta__content-item elementor-content-item\">DID YOU KNOW?<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__description elementor-cta__content-item elementor-content-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tRetirement is 99% easier when your paperwork is organized. \n\nJoin 250,000+ Americans securely storing their important receipts, bills &amp; documents with the SimplyWise app.\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__button-wrapper elementor-cta__content-item elementor-content-item \">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-cta__button elementor-button elementor-size-md\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tGet the App\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-ace4e5d elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"ace4e5d\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-f8cf9a8\" data-id=\"f8cf9a8\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-92830ab elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"92830ab\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3><b>Retirement, disability or survivors benefits: Which do you qualify for?<\/b><\/h3><p>Let\u2019s start with retirement benefits and how a spouse or ex-spouse who has never worked can qualify for them. To claim\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/guide-to-social-security-spousal-benefits\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Social Security spousal benefits<\/a>, you\u2019ll need to meet\u00a0certain criteria, including being at least age 62 in most cases. Your spouse or ex-spouse also must be living. Keep in mind that the criteria for spousal benefits varies depending on whether you\u2019re married or divorced.<\/p><h3><b>Currently married<\/b><\/h3><p>If you\u2019re married, your spouse must already be collecting his or her Social Security benefits in order for you to claim spousal benefits.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-deff981 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"deff981\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-1774171\" data-id=\"1774171\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-0d645fc elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"0d645fc\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-034963e\" data-id=\"034963e\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d535226 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d535226\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>To qualify for spousal benefits you must:<\/p><ul><li>Have an earned benefit that is lower than your potential spousal benefit<\/li><li>Be married for at least one year\u00a0<\/li><li>Be age 62 or taking care of a child who is age 16 or younger or disabled, who is the child of your spouse and who is also receiving Social Security benefits based on the spouse\u2019s work record<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-e928fcc\" data-id=\"e928fcc\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3ee1dc8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"3ee1dc8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.13.3 - 28-05-2023 *\/\n.elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=\".svg\"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"534\" src=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Screen-Shot-2023-06-15-at-1.24.50-PM.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-340\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Screen-Shot-2023-06-15-at-1.24.50-PM.png 684w, https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Screen-Shot-2023-06-15-at-1.24.50-PM-300x250.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-9e1e58b elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"9e1e58b\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6190b06\" data-id=\"6190b06\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-174c9a6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"174c9a6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3><b>Divorced<\/b><\/h3><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/social-security-benefits-for-divorced-spouses\/\">If you\u2019re divorced<\/a>, your benefits aren\u2019t connected, so you can claim spousal benefits even if your ex isn\u2019t collecting Social Security yet and you\u00a0do not need the consent of your ex-spouse. Both of you, however, must be at least age 62. If you\u2019ve been divorced more than once, your benefit can be based on your highest-earning spouse if that marriage meets the qualifications.<\/p><p>To qualify for spousal benefits you must:<\/p><ul><li>Have been married to the relevant ex-spouse for at least 10 years<\/li><li>Have been divorced for two years before you claim<\/li><li>Be age 62 or older (the same goes for your ex-spouse)<\/li><li>Be unmarried (your ex, however, can be remarried)<\/li><\/ul><h3>\u00a0<\/h3><h3><b>Your age matters<\/b><\/h3><p>There are many variables regarding how and when you can apply for a spousal benefit, but one of the most important things to keep in mind is that spousal benefits\u00a0are reduced\u00a0for each month before your full retirement age that you begin receiving benefits. Your full retirement age is based\u00a0on your birth year:<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-af8af02 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"af8af02\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-0759d20\" data-id=\"0759d20\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-80203f0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"80203f0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"526\" src=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Simplywise-full-retirament-age-from-1943-1024x841.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-341\" alt=\"full retirement age\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Simplywise-full-retirament-age-from-1943-1024x841.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Simplywise-full-retirament-age-from-1943-300x246.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Simplywise-full-retirament-age-from-1943-768x631.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Simplywise-full-retirament-age-from-1943.jpeg 1466w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-4627133 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"4627133\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-565ff2b\" data-id=\"565ff2b\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f949af7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f949af7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c3eec97 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default elementor-section elementor-top-section\" data-id=\"c3eec97\" data-element_type=\"section\"><div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\"><div class=\"elementor-row\"><div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ddb3345 elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column\" data-id=\"ddb3345\" data-element_type=\"column\"><div class=\"elementor-column-wrap  elementor-element-populated\"><div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\"><div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2746c68 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2746c68\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\"><div class=\"elementor-widget-container\"><div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\"><p>So if you claim at age 62, your earliest opportunity, you could receive as little as\u00a032.5%\u00a0of your spouse\u2019s primary insurance amount, or PIA. That\u00a0permanently reduces\u00a0your spousal benefits. If your spouse also took his or her Social Security benefits early, your survivor benefits (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/guide-to-social-security-and-death\/\">those you can claim if your spouse dies<\/a>) also will be\u00a0permanently reduced.\u00a0<\/p><p>When you reach full retirement age, you are eligible for 50% of your spouse\u2019s PIA. The Social Security Administration offers a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/oact\/quickcalc\/spouse.html\">calculator<\/a>\u00a0to figure out the size of your spousal benefits depending on when you claim them.<\/p><p>Also keep in mind that spousal benefits don\u2019t grow after full retirement age. Unlike earned benefits, which grow 8% every year between your full retirement age and age 70, your spousal benefit does not increase once you\u2019ve reached full retirement age.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section><section class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-db8bd46 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default elementor-section elementor-top-section\" data-id=\"db8bd46\" data-element_type=\"section\"><div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\"><div class=\"elementor-row\"><div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0a5953d elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column\" data-id=\"0a5953d\" data-element_type=\"column\"><div class=\"elementor-column-wrap  elementor-element-populated\"><div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\"><div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-84cac78 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"84cac78\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\"><div class=\"elementor-widget-container\"><div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\"><h3><b>How disability benefits differ<\/b><\/h3><p>Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits are for people who are eligible for Social Security retirement benefits, but became disabled before they reached full retirement age. When a beneficiary begins to receive disability benefits, certain members of their family may also qualify for benefits, including:<\/p><ul><li>spouse<\/li><li>divorced spouse<\/li><li>children<\/li><li>disabled children, and<\/li><li>adult children disabled before age 22.<\/li><\/ul><div>\u00a0<\/div><p>Keep in mind that any family members who may apply for these benefits will need to provide a Social Security number and possibly their birth certificate in order to prove their qualification.<\/p><p>According to the Social Security Administration website, \u201ceach family member may be eligible for a monthly benefit of up to 50 percent of your disability benefit amount. However, there is a limit to the amount we can pay your family.<\/p><p>\u201cThe total depends on your benefit amount and the number of family members who also qualify on your record. The total varies, but generally the total amount you and your family can receive is between 150 and 180 percent of your disability benefit.<\/p><p>\u201cIf the sum of the benefits payable on your account is greater than the family limit, the benefits to the family members will be reduced proportionately. Your benefit will not be affected.\u201d<\/p><h3><b>Survivors benefits<\/b><\/h3><p>Social Security survivors benefits are available to spouses, ex-spouses, children and dependent parents of someone who worked and paid into the Social Security system. The amount of the benefits depends on the beneficiary\u2019s age and relationship to the worker, as well as the lifetime earnings of the worker who died. The more the deceased worker earned, the higher the benefits will be.\u00a0<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-236f787 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"236f787\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-a2e100c\" data-id=\"a2e100c\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-5940121 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"5940121\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-1c489f6\" data-id=\"1c489f6\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7cfbc16 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7cfbc16\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>There are many differences between\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/guide-to-social-security-spousal-benefits\/\">spousal benefits<\/a>\u00a0and survivor benefits, but the simplest distinction is that spousal benefits are those you receive while your spouse is alive while survivors benefits are based on a deceased worker\u2019s earnings.<\/p><p>If you are already receiving spousal benefits and your spouse dies, the Social Security Administration will automatically convert your benefits to survivors benefits after the death is reported to the office. You can\u2019t receive both at the same time.\u00a0<\/p><p>In some cases, the Social Security Administration may pay survivor benefits retroactively. Those situations include:<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-b963c40\" data-id=\"b963c40\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9895730 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"9895730\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"636\" src=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Screen-Shot-2023-06-15-at-1.27.26-PM.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-342\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Screen-Shot-2023-06-15-at-1.27.26-PM.png 675w, https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Screen-Shot-2023-06-15-at-1.27.26-PM-300x298.png 300w, https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Screen-Shot-2023-06-15-at-1.27.26-PM-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-569b0c6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"569b0c6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li>Spouses younger than full retirement age who file for survivor benefits within one month of a spouse or ex-spouse\u2019s death can receive one month of retroactive benefits.<\/li><li>Widows or widowers who wait to file after they reach full retirement age can receive up to six months of retroactive benefits back to the month they reached full retirement age.<\/li><li>Disabled widows and widowers who file before age 61 are eligible for up to 12 months of retroactive survivor benefits.\u00a0<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-fd0647f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"fd0647f\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-d6f5fef\" data-id=\"d6f5fef\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-88441ba elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"88441ba\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3><b>How long do benefits last?<\/b><\/h3><p>Surviving spouses and divorced spouses receive survivors benefits until their death. Benefits for children who aren\u2019t disabled end at age 18 or 19. Disabled children can continue to receive survivors benefits for life.\u00a0<\/p><p>Just as\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/social-security-retirement-benefits\/\">Social Security retirement benefits<\/a>\u00a0aim to ensure workers can live a dignified life after they stop working, survivors benefits can provide stability and support to the family of a worker after he or she dies. The benefit can help give workers and their families a little bit of peace of mind both before and after a loss.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It may seem logical that if you never worked \u2014 and therefore never paid into Social Security \u2014 that you would not be eligible to receive Social Security benefits. Well, that\u2019s not the case. In fact, there are several different scenarios in which a person can receive&nbsp;Social Security benefits&nbsp;without ever having paid into the system, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":338,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-337","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v21.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Can You Collect Social Security If You Never Worked? - SimplyWise Cost Estimator<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Even if you&#039;ve never worked or paid into the system, you can still be eligible for Social Security benefits, from spousal benefits to survivors benefits and...\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/can-you-collect-social-security-if-you-never-worked\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Can You Collect Social Security If You Never Worked? - SimplyWise Cost Estimator\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Even if you&#039;ve never worked or paid into the system, you can still be eligible for Social Security benefits, from spousal benefits to survivors benefits and...\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/can-you-collect-social-security-if-you-never-worked\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"SimplyWise Cost Estimator\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2020-04-18T18:21:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2023-06-22T20:00:30+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/shutterstock_104939357.jpeg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1000\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"750\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Allie Fleder\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Allie Fleder\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/can-you-collect-social-security-if-you-never-worked\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/can-you-collect-social-security-if-you-never-worked\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Allie Fleder\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/e1e876d7736d540f0047b6adc84e2ba1\"},\"headline\":\"Can You Collect Social Security If You Never Worked?\",\"datePublished\":\"2020-04-18T18:21:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2023-06-22T20:00:30+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/can-you-collect-social-security-if-you-never-worked\/\"},\"wordCount\":1143,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/#organization\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/can-you-collect-social-security-if-you-never-worked\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/can-you-collect-social-security-if-you-never-worked\/\",\"name\":\"Can You Collect Social Security If You Never Worked? 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