Your career earnings largely determine your monthly Social Security benefit amount. The more you earn, the more you pay in Social Security payroll taxes (up to a certain amount), and the larger your monthly benefits will be (again, up to a certain amount).
The issue with this process is that not everyone has a sufficient work history. Some people are stay-at-home parents; some people work low-paying jobs; and some people have gaps in employment for one reason or another. Any of these situations could noticeably affect how much someone could receive in benefits.
Luckily, Social Security offers spousal benefits, which are a way for someone to claim Social Security based on their spouse’s work history. They’re not the best route for everyone, but can be extremely helpful in the right situation. Let’s take a look at who’s eligible to receive them.