Three main boxes must be checked to be eligible for Social Security spousal benefits: The primary claiming spouse must currently be receiving benefits. You must have been married for at least one year. You must be at least 62 years old, caring for a child under age 16, or caring for a child with a disability that began before age 22.

When your spouse signs up for Social Security first, they'll receive the retirement benefit they've earned based on their work history. This depends on how much they've paid in Social Security payroll taxes throughout their career and their age at sign-up.

If you work while collecting Social Security, you may affect your benefits. And the rules for exactly what that will look like changed very recently.

Yes, but there are rules and limits.

Your Social Security statement includes lots of useful information. Are you ignoring it? Explore what you should know about this document in this guide.