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 - The Social Security program is viewed as a crucial retirement account for Americans, with individuals paying payroll taxes throughout their careers to receive benefits in retirement [1] - Many individuals may not have a sufficient work history to qualify for adequate retirement benefits, but spousal benefits provide a viable alternative [2][3] Eligibility for Spousal Benefits - To qualify for spousal benefits, individuals must meet three criteria: the primary claiming spouse must be receiving benefits, the couple must be married for at least one year, and the claimant must be at least 62 years old or caring for a qualifying child [4][6] - Divorced individuals married for at least 10 years can still claim spousal benefits unless they remarry [4] - If a spouse suspends their benefits, the spousal benefits will also be suspended [5] Benefit Amounts - Spousal benefits can provide up to 50% of the spouse's primary insurance amount (PIA); for example, if the spouse's PIA is $2,000, the claimant could receive up to $1,000 [6] - Claiming spousal benefits before reaching full retirement age results in a greater reduction in monthly benefits compared to standard benefits [8][9] Reduction in Benefits - Monthly benefits for spousal claims are reduced by 25/36 of 1% monthly, up to 36 months, and by 5/12 of 1% for each additional month [8] - The reduction percentages for claiming spousal benefits at various ages are as follows: 35% at age 62, 30% at age 63, 25% at age 64, 16.7% at age 65, and 8.3% at age 66 [9] - Unlike standard benefits, delaying spousal benefits past full retirement age does not increase the monthly benefit amount [9]