If I qualify for both my own and a spouse's benefit, do I get the higher one?

Yes — Social Security pays you the higher of the two, not both added together. Technically you are deemed to be filing for your own retirement benefit first; if the spousal amount you are entitled to is larger, you receive your own benefit plus a top-up that brings the total up to the spousal figure. The end result is simply the larger of the two amounts. Because spousal benefits max out at 50% of the higher earner's PIA and do not grow with delayed credits, a person with a strong work record of their own usually does better claiming on their own and delaying. A lower earner or non-worker typically lands on the spousal amount. Compare both paths on your record at wealthserene.com/tools/social-security-optimizer to confirm which produces more.