7. Look into spousal benefits
Married people have an advantage in the Social Security system. Even a spouse who never worked can claim benefits. Married people can receive half their spouse’s Social Security benefit, and that may be more than they’ll make on their own. Divorced people (here are the rules) married 10 years or longer qualify, too.
Since the 2015 Supreme Court ruling that legalized same-sex marriage, those couples and their families also can benefit from Social Security programs. To get spousal benefits you must be at least 62 and your spouse — the “primary worker earner” (government jargon for the one with the biggest benefit) — must receive Social Security checks or be eligible for them.