Social Security is an earned benefit. You become eligible by paying the payroll tax during your working years, and the amount you get is geared to your wage history - with a glaring exception.

If you wait to claim spousal benefits until your full retirement age, you can receive up to half the amount of your spouse's benefit.

If you were planning to retire next year, double check your math because a law passed in the ’80s is annually raising the age when Americans can collect their full Social Security benefits. And next year is no exception.