If you never paid into Social Security or didn’t work long enough to qualify, you may need to rely on Social Security spousal and survivor benefits for your retirement. That also may be true for those who stopped working in order to care for their children and/or older relatives.
Even if you’ve paid into the system and qualify for Social Security based on your own work record, you might qualify for a higher benefit through your spouse or even an ex-spouse.
Depending on your situation, there are some requirements you must meet in order to qualify for spousal or survivor benefits.