Losing a spouse can bring unexpected Social Security changes. Learn 11 eligibility factors and common pitfalls so you can ...

Retirement can be challenging, even more so for stay-at-home parents who perform unpaid caregiving work while their spouses work outside the home. In August 2025, retired workers received an average ...

Thankfully, for people who fall into those categories, Social Security offers spousal benefits, which allow someone to claim ...

Social Security spousal benefits can be extremely beneficial for people who either don't qualify for Social Security by themselves or qualify for a significantly lower amount than their current or ...

How do Social Security spousal benefits work? My wife, who’s approaching age 62, has had a few small-paying jobs over the years, but spent most of her time as a homemaker. What is she entitled to?

How do survivor benefits work for divorced spouses? How to collect Social Security on a deceased ex-spouse Advisors’ role in helping clients claim survivor benefits Social Security rules allow a ...

For many remarried individuals, claiming benefits based on an ex-spouse's record is not allowed. But there are exceptions.

Married couples may find that knowing these rules results in a higher benefit than expected.

Claiming spousal benefits allows you to earn up to 50% of the primary claiming spouse's benefit. Note that claiming spousal benefits early results in a larger reduction than for standard benefits.

Work for years. Decide to retire. Claim Social Security. Those are the steps most people think about with Social Security retirement benefits. However, there's also another path. Social Security ...

Millions of Americans rely on Social Security for most or all of their retirement income. Unfortunately, not everyone has a sufficient career earnings record to qualify for a worthwhile benefit.