When you go to get credit, they often look to see if you have a phone number in your name. If you don't, even if you are listed in the phone book at that number, it can be problematic.
For women in particular, it's a good thing to remember. It doesn't affect your spouse's payment at all. In fact, they will never know when you start receiving your Social Security checks. But you need to have their Social Security number in hand.