Likely, your own benefits in your “primary insurance account” and your spouse’s own benefits from their own account will be larger than if either of you claims spousal benefits. That’s because a spouse’s benefit can total no more than half of what the wage earner is entitled to based on their own work history.

This rule was established back when many married women did not work outside the home, so they would receive – at most – half of what their husbands received from Social Security. Today, most women (married or not) work, and most end up qualifying for a larger retirement benefit on their own. However, in no situation does the claiming of spousal benefits affect the wage earner’s benefit amount. That’s nothing anybody needs to worry about.

If you’re at an age where Social Security retirement benefits will be one of your sources of income in the near future, it’s a good idea to look at how much you’ll be entitled to get each month. That will depend in part on how long you wait to start collecting these benefits.

Knowing this will help you better negotiate a divorce settlement that will let you comfortably enter your retirement years. Having financial as well as legal guidance can help you make informed decisions.