If you receive Social Security benefits and your circumstances have changed since you first received those benefits, you may be in line to receive an increase in benefits.

Jack Myers with Social Security indicates in some circumstances, those changes would be automatically applied but in other cases, you would need to notify Social Security. He also notes there are times you would need to apply for the benefits increase.

Remember there is an earnings limit that applies prior to full retirement age, but once you reach your full retirement age you can work and earn as much as you want and still receive your benefits. When you started collecting benefits, Social Security reviews your earnings record, adjusted earlier years for inflation, and then selects the 35 best years to calculate your benefit amount. If you have a year of Social Security taxed earnings after retirement that is higher than the lowest year - after adjustment for inflation - Security Security used, you will automatically get an increase. Myers points out that because it is automatic, there is no need to apply for or ask for this increase.

An example of a potential increase that may not be automatic is if your spouse dies. Myers explains if you were both receiving your own Social Security on your own records and you were receiving a lesser Social Security benefit than they were, you will likely be eligible for survivor benefits on their record but you will have to apply for it.

Another component of spousal eligibility is having an ex-spouse that passes. Myers says this one dives a little deeper into the weeds and can be complicated but outlines it further...

For a spouse that does work not covered by Social Security, there is something called Government Pension Offset that makes you ineligible. Myers points out that teachers oftentimes fall under this umbrella of work. 

You can visit ssa.gov/potentialentitlement for more information on identifying situations that may lead to higher benefits.