Social Security spousal benefits could give your household a much-needed financial boost in retirement. With the average check around $955 per month as of August 2025, these benefits aren’t enough to live on on their own, but when paired with your partner’s retirement checks, Social Security could cover a sizable chunk of your expenses.
All you have to do to claim a spousal benefit is wait for your partner to apply and then sign up yourself. But if you hope to maximize your checks, you’ll need to avoid falling prey to the following three common misconceptions as well.
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