Key Points Eligibility for spousal Social Security benefits is based on several factors, including your age and how long you've been married. Some requirements for spousal benefits have exceptions. Divorced individuals can also claim spousal benefits if they meet specific requirements. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › Your marital status doesn't only affect your taxes. It can also impact your Social Security benefits. Usually, Social Security retirement bene ...

It's a great route for someone whose work history may be short or spotty.It's hard to overstate how important the Social Security program has been to Americans over the decades it has been in place. Many people view it as a de facto retirement account: You spend your career paying Social Security payroll taxes, expecting to receive benefits on the back end in retirement.Unfortunately, not everyone has a consistent or long enough work history to be eligible for a decent enough benefit in retirement because t ...