Spousal Social Security Benefits: Understanding Eligibility Requirements
There's a lot more to Social Security than benefits for retired workers, and one of the most important parts of the program, especially for married couples, is Social Security spousal benefits.
The short version is that there are millions of married couples in the United States for whom one spouse is the primary earner. Maybe one spouse simply had a high-paying job for an entire career, or one spouse was mostly a stay-at-home parent. In many cases in which one spouse qualifies for a much higher Social Security benefit than the other, a spousal benefit can provide much-needed retirement income.
There are nearly 2 million people who receive a spousal benefit in 2025, so it's fair to say that there are also millions of working-age American families that will eventually qualify for one. But who qualifies for a Social Security spousal benefit? How much could yours be? Let's look at the main eligibility requirements that are important to know, as well as how much you can expect if you qualify.
Source Fool.com
