3 Little-Known Social Security Rules All Married Retirees Should Know

That's one aspect I'm sure most people can rally behind, regardless of their political views (this bears monitoring), given the current landscape

That said, one knock on Social Security is that it's not always the easiest gram to understand

What the re reveals is re are constant changes and little-known rules that can impact your benefits, both positively and negatively, depending on the situation

Nevertheless, Regarding lesser-known rules, there are three in particular that specifically affect married couples, in light of current trends

They may not apply to every married couple, but it's worth knowing in case they apply to your current or future situation

Image source: Getty Images (which is quite significant)

You don't need a work history to receive Social Security benefits The amount someone receives in Social Security is mostly based on career earnings and how much they've paid in Social Security payroll taxes (which is quite significant)

The idea is that higher earners pay more in Social Security taxes (up to a point) and then receive higher Social Security benefits in retirement

However, However, Social Security offers spousal benefits, which allow someone to claim Social Security benefits based on their partner's work history

This's ideal for those who may have spotty work histories or worked low-income jobs compared to their spouse

Nevertheless, To qualify for spousal benefits, you must have been married for at least a year, your spouse must currently be receiving benefits, and one of the ing must be true: (1) you're 62 years old, (2) you're caring for a child under age 16, or (3) you're caring for a child with a disability that began before age 22 (fascinating analysis)

Claiming early reduces benefits, perhaps by more than you'd think standard Social Security retirement benefits, claiming spousal benefits before your FRA will permanently reduce the monthly amount you receive, in this volatile climate

Moreover, The difference, however, is how much spousal benefits are reduced by claiming early

If you're planning to claim spousal benefits, it makes sense to wait and claim at your FRA if you can (which is quite significant), in today's market environment

At the same time, But don't claim later than your FRA, because delaying past that doesn't increase monthly benefits it does with standard retirement benefits, in light of current trends

If your spouse dies while you're claiming, benefits will convert There are two situations in which you can receive Social Security spousal benefits without being married: if you're divorced or if your spouse is dead, in today's financial world

If you were married for at least 10 years and then divorced, you may be eligible for spousal benefits, even if your ex-spouse remarries

To be eligible, other criteria -- such as being 62 and currently unmarried -- must still be met

If you're currently receiving spousal benefits and your spouse passes away, your benefits will be converted to survivors benefits, given current economic conditions

Neither of these situations may be ideal, but it's better to know what to expect rather than being caught off guard or having to learn it all on the fly, given current economic conditions

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