20 CFR § 216.54
Who is an employee's wife or husband
February 18, 2021
An employee's wife or husband is an individual who—
(a) Is married to the employee; and
(b) Has been married to the employee for at least one year immediately before the date the spouse applied for annuity;
(c) Is the natural parent of the employee's child;
(d) Was entitled to an annuity as a widow(er), a parent, or a disabled child under this part in the month before he or she married the employee; or
(e) Could have been entitled to a benefit listed in paragraph (d) of this section, if the spouse had applied and been old enough in the month before he or she married the employee.