3. Claim spousal payments
You and your beloved spouse should make Social Security decisions as a strong, united team. So, if you have less earned income compared to your spouse, you may be allowed to sign up for spousal benefits and actually receive up to 50 percent of your partner’s eligible amount.
Also, if you are at least 62 years old and have a child in your care, you may be eligible to receive benefits through your spouse. The spousal benefit can be as much as 50 percent of the amount of the partner’s benefit (of course, this depends on when the partner retires).
And even divorcees are eligible. As a matter of fact, both parties in a divorce can actually claim spousal payments based on the other spouse’s Social Security earnings. However, there’s a trick to it: if you have remarried, you cannot receive your ex-spouse’s benefits (seems fair enough).
