Social Security rules for married couples? They're a bit of a maze. But hey, knowing them matters for your retirement plans. Let's look at four key rules:

1. Spousal Benefits: You can grab benefits based on your spouse's earnings. Up to 50% of their primary insurance amount. Neat, right? There are conditions though. Married for a year, spouse getting benefits, you're 62 or older. Some exceptions exist.

2. Divorce and Benefits: Divorced? Don't worry. You might still get spousal benefits from your ex. The marriage needs to have lasted 10 years. And you can't be remarried. Your ex's new marriage? Doesn't matter.

3. Early Claiming: It's tricky. Claim before full retirement age and your benefits take a hit. Spousal benefits get hit harder. At 62, it's a 35% cut for spousal benefits. Regular benefits? Only 30%. Ouch.

4. Survivor Benefits: If your spouse dies, your spousal benefits usually become survivor benefits. It's often more money. Somewhere between 71.5% to 100% of your deceased spouse's benefit. Kind of a silver lining, I guess.

It seems these rules are for U.S. couples. Other countries? Different ballgame. Take Australia. People there are marrying later. By 2025, first-time brides might be 30, grooms 32. That's got to shake up retirement planning, right?

Knowing this stuff helps. You can make smarter choices about your retirement cash. But it's not entirely clear how all this fits together. Still, better to know than not.