Social Security says it's important to understand how your future retirement might affect your spouse.

Jack Myers, with Social Security, notes when planning for retirement, keep in mind how spouses can claim benefits on each other's record. The benefit amount determines how much or when a spouse can receive spousal benefits.

Myers indicates you have to receive your benefit before receiving spousal benefits. If one spouse's benefits are less than half of the others, the difference could be paid to them in the form of a spouse's benefit, depending on when they take their retirement.

A surviving spouse can receive up to one hundred percent of the deceased spouse's benefits if both are past full retirement age. Myers notes that surviving spouses can begin to receive spousal benefits at age 60 or 50 if disabled.

Myers states ex-spouses and surviving divorced spouses may qualify for spousal benefits if the marriage lasted at least ten years. To receive benefits if both spouses are alive, they must be unmarried. If one is deceased, they are eligible for a surviving divorced spousal benefit.

Eligibility for pensions could cause a reduction or total offset of spousal benefits through a Government Pension Offset. For more information, visit social security.gov or call (800) 772-1213.