To become eligible for Social Security benefits in retirement, you need to earn money and pay into the system via payroll taxes during your working years. Your earnings render you eligible for work credits, and you can accrue a maximum of four of those per year.

It takes 40 work credits to collect Social Security in retirement based on your own earnings record. But if you didn't work at all or you didn't accumulate enough work credits to be eligible for Social Security on your own, you may still be able to get benefits if you are, or were, married to someone who's eligible.

It's a concept known as spousal benefits. And to be clear, spousal benefits can be a lifeline for seniors who otherwise would not get Social Security on their own.

Continue reading

Source Fool.com