Spousal Social Security Benefits: 5 Things All Retired Couples Should Know

Once you approach retirement age, there's a shocking amount of new information to digest. Everything -- from Medicare to required minimum distributions (RMDs) -- is brand new, and you only have so much time to understand it all before you're expected to put it into practice. If you plan to draw Social Security benefits based on your spouse's work record, you can add spousal Social Security benefits to the list. Fortunately, the key rules surrounding spousal benefits are not overly complicated, and below, you'll learn five facts about these benefits that every retired couple should know. To be eligible for spousal benefits, you must typically be at least 62 years old and married to your spouse for at least one year.Continue reading

Apr 19, 2025 - 15:37

Spousal Social Security Benefits: 5 Things All Retired Couples Should Know

Once you approach retirement age, there's a shocking amount of new information to digest. Everything -- from Medicare to required minimum distributions (RMDs) -- is brand new, and you only have so much time to understand it all before you're expected to put it into practice. If you plan to draw Social Security benefits based on your spouse's work record, you can add spousal Social Security benefits to the list.

Fortunately, the key rules surrounding spousal benefits are not overly complicated, and below, you'll learn five facts about these benefits that every retired couple should know.

To be eligible for spousal benefits, you must typically be at least 62 years old and married to your spouse for at least one year.