Core Points - Marital status affects not only taxes but also Social Security benefits, with spousal benefits allowing claims based on a spouse's work record [1] Eligibility Criteria - Spousal must already be receiving Social Security benefits, which can include retirement or disability benefits [3] - The marriage must have lasted at least one year, with exceptions for parents of a spouse's child under 16 or disabled, and for those entitled to benefits before marriage [4][5] - Claimants must be at least 62 years old, with an exception for those caring for a spouse's child under 16 or disabled [6][7] - The spousal benefit must be less than the benefit based on the claimant's own work history to be applicable [9]

Core Insights - A strategy for maximizing retirement income should include optimizing Social Security retirement benefits [1] Group 1: Maximizing Social Security Benefits - The maximum monthly payment for Social Security in 2023 is $5,108, with an increase to $5,251 expected in 2024, while the average monthly payment is $2,015 [2] - To maximize benefits, individuals should aim to work for at least 35 years, as the Social Security Administration calculates benefits based on the 35 highest-earning years adjusted for inflation [3] - Working fewer than 35 years results in a $0 income for those years, which lowers the monthly payment; however, the 35 years do not need to be consecutive, allowing for part-time work or breaks [4][5] Group 2: Income Considerations - Earning a high income during the working years is crucial, as Social Security payments are determined by the amount of taxable income earned, with higher contributions leading to larger benefits [6][8] - Individuals are encouraged to work longer than the average retirement age of 62 to maximize their benefits [7]

Core Insights - The article discusses upcoming changes to Social Security eligibility rules in 2026, which will affect how workers qualify for retirement benefits [1][3]. Summary by Sections Eligibility Requirements - Workers must earn a total of 40 work credits to qualify for Social Security retirement benefits, which can be earned at a rate of four credits per year, requiring at least a decade of work [4][6]. Changes in Work Credit Earnings - Starting in 2026, the amount of earnings required to earn work credits will increase. In 2025, one work credit is earned for every $1,810 in covered earnings, while in 2026, this will rise to $1,890 per credit, necessitating a total of $7,560 to earn the maximum four credits for the year [5][7]. Impact on Low-Income Earners - The changes may significantly impact lower-income earners and part-time workers, who may struggle to meet the new thresholds for earning work credits if they barely qualified under the previous rules [8].