Generally speaking, people earn Social Security benefits in retirement by working long enough and paying taxes on their wages. But there's way to get Social Security even if you never worked. Social Security pays spousal benefits to older Americans, and you can qualify based on a current or former spouse's record. You may also want to file for Social Security spousal benefits if your spouse earned a lot more money than you, as your spousal benefit may be more generous than the benefit you get based on you ...

Key Points If you're eligible for Social Security spousal benefits, it's important to know when you can sign up. Understand the implications of filing at different ages. Make sure you're not counting on extra benefits beyond what you're entitled to. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › Most people qualify for Social Security benefits in retirement by working and paying into the system for a good number of years. But there's another path toward Social Security if ...

Key Points Social Security benefits are available based on your own work record or a spouse's work history. If your spouse made more money than you did, you may want to claim on their record. Unfortunately, you can't increase spousal benefits by delaying your claim after FRA. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › If your spouse earned more money than you did over their working life, or if you didn't work enough to qualify for Social Security retirement benefits, y ...

Core Points - Spousal benefits are available for spouses of Social Security beneficiaries, allowing them to claim up to 50% of the primary spouse's full retirement benefit [3][7] - To qualify for spousal benefits, the primary earning spouse must have filed for their own retirement benefits, and the secondary spouse must be at least 62 years old or have a qualifying child [6] - Spousal benefits are not deducted from the primary spouse's payments, and the secondary spouse's right to receive them is not affected by the primary spouse's marital status [3][6] Eligibility Criteria - The primary earning spouse must have filed for their own retirement benefits [6] - The secondary spouse must be at least 62 years old or have a qualifying child in their care [6] - If divorced for more than two years, the secondary spouse can claim spousal benefits regardless of the primary spouse's retirement status [6] Benefit Calculation - Spousal benefits are capped at 50% of the higher-earning spouse's primary insurance amount (PIA), which is the benefit at full retirement age [7] - For example, if the primary spouse receives $3,000 per month, the secondary spouse can receive up to $1,500 per month in spousal benefits if they wait until their own full retirement age [7]

Core Points - Social Security spousal benefits can be complex, and careful planning can help couples maximize their total benefits [2][3] - Married individuals may be eligible for retirement benefits based on their own earnings or their spouse's earnings [2][5] - The spousal benefit is typically 50% of the spouse's benefit at their full retirement age, not the delayed benefit [3][7] Eligibility for Spousal Benefits - To qualify for spousal benefits, the individual must be at least 62 years old and the spouse must have already filed for their own benefits [7] - If the spouse has a child under 18 or a disabled child receiving benefits, the individual can apply for spousal benefits at any age [7] - The Social Security Administration pays out the higher of the two benefits: the individual's own or the spousal benefit [6]

Core Insights - Social Security spousal benefits can significantly enhance household finances during retirement, with an average monthly benefit of approximately $955 as of August 2025, which, while not sufficient alone, can substantially contribute when combined with a partner's retirement benefits [1]. Misconceptions and Eligibility - Misconception 1: Spousal benefits are available even if one has never worked, provided certain conditions are met, such as being married for at least one year or having a child with the spouse [4]. - Individuals can qualify for both retirement and spousal benefits, but the Social Security Administration pays the higher of the two benefits [5]. - The age at which one claims benefits is crucial, as full retirement age (FRA) is 67 for most workers, and claiming early can lead to significant reductions in benefits [7]. Claiming Benefits - To receive the full retirement or spousal benefit, one must wait until reaching FRA, with penalties for early claiming that can reduce benefits by up to 30% for retirement and up to 35% for spousal benefits if claimed at age 62 [7]. - Spousal benefits are available if the spousal benefit amount exceeds the retirement benefit one qualifies for, and ex-spouses may also qualify if the marriage lasted 10 years or more [8].