My wife and I are both 67. I’m on track to collect Social Security when I retire, but my wife has only worked for 38 quarters (she took time out first to raise our family, and then 20 years to care for our parents in their old age). Can my wife work 2 more quarters to become eligible for at least a minimal Social Security benefit? Does it have to be full time, or could she work part time and still qualify?

Hi. Yes, if your wife accrues at least 40 quarters (QC) of Social Security coverage, then she'd be eligible for retirement benefits based on her own record. It doesn't matter whether she works part time or full time, as long as she ends up making enough to earn the required QCs. In 2023, for example, a person is credited with one QC for each $1,640 of their Social Security covered earnings, up to a maximum of 4 QCs.

How important it might be for your wife to gain insured status, though, depends on how her own benefit rate would compare to her potential spousal rate on your account, and when you plan to start your benefits. Even if your wife qualifies for benefits on her own account, once you start drawing your benefits she couldn't be paid any more than the higher of her own benefit rate or her spousal rate. Therefore, it sounds like you and your wife should strongly consider using our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) to fully compare and analyze all of your various options so that you can determine the best overall strategy for maximizing your benefits.

Best, Jerry