Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared on The Penny Hoarder.
The benefits of marriage don’t stop at love and companionship. In some situations, marriage can result in more Social Security benefits. If you stay married for at least 10 years, those benefits can last even if you get divorced.
But the rules for marriage and Social Security get complicated.
You don’t automatically get more Social Security benefits just because you’re married. Many, if not most, people will get the biggest benefit by claiming on their own work record.
But if your work history is limited and you marry someone who earns significantly more money than you do, you may get more from Social Security by claiming spousal benefits. Here are several things married couples can’t afford not to know.
1. You can get up to 50% of your spouse’s full benefit
The maximum