Divorced? What you need to know about your Social Security options
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When couples marry, they dream of building a life together, retiring together and growing old together. Divorce changes plans, alters hopes and dreams, impacts finances and disrupts strategies for retirement. However, your Social Security options may not change as much as you expect. Starting a Social Security conversation with a financial professional can be both helpful and reassuring.
The good news
You will have virtually the same Social Security options that you were eligible for when you were married, provided you meet certain criteria. When spouses have substantial differences in their earnings, the lower-earning spouse can receive the higher of their own earned benefit or a spousal benefit 鈥� up to 50 percent of the higher-earning spouse鈥檚 full benefit amount at full retirement age (FRA). Divorced spouses who qualify can claim the same benefits on the ex-spouse鈥檚 earnings record (up to 50 percent of the ex-spouse鈥檚 benefit amount at FRA).
Retirement benefits
To qualify for this benefit, you must meet all of the following :
- The marriage to your former spouse must have lasted at least 10 years. (This may apply to more than one prior marriage.)
- You must be at least age 62.
- You must be unmarried. It doesn鈥檛 matter if your former spouse has remarried or not. It also doesn鈥檛 matter if you remarried, as long as you are not married at the time of filing. Remarriage after filing for benefits means you can no longer claim benefits on your ex-spouse鈥檚 earnings record (although you may become eligible to claim spousal benefits on your new spouse鈥檚 record).
- Your ex-spouse must be eligible for retirement benefits. (As long as the divorce has been final for at least two years, your ex-spouse doesn鈥檛 have to actually file for benefits first).
If you do end up claiming benefits on an ex-spouse鈥檚 earnings record, you can rest assured that your former spouse will not be notified. In addition, neither your ex-spouse nor your ex-spouse鈥檚 new family (if there is one) will be impacted by your filing choice.
Survivor benefits
The that are available to married spouses are also available to ex-spouses 鈥� again, assuming the marriage lasted 10 years or more. The benefits for surviving spouses and ex-spouses are generally 100 percent of the deceased鈥檚 benefit amount. To qualify for survivor benefits on an ex-spouse鈥檚 record, you must be one of the following:
- Unmarried
- Remarried, where the current marriage occurred after age 60
- Remarried, where the current marriage occurred after age 50 and you are disabled
A vital conversation
If your earnings history is similar to your ex-spouse鈥檚, you will simply rely on your personal earnings when you file for Social Security benefits. However, if you earned significantly less than your ex-spouse, you may have concerns about the possibility of more limited Social Security benefits. Starting a conversation with your financial professional can help you understand your benefits and filing options. Visit the Social Security Administration鈥檚 website at ssa.gov for more information.
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Not affiliated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any governmental agency. This material contains educational information regarding the availability and details surrounding the Social Security program and is not intended to promote any product or service offered by 麻豆传媒. The information represents a general understanding of the Social Security Program and should not be considered personalized advice regarding Social Security, tax, or legal advice. Details of the Social Security Program are subject to change. A tax or legal advisor should be consulted prior to making any decision. Visit for additional details.
