If you are divorced, you may still be eligible to receive Social Security benefits based on your ex-spouse’s work record. To qualify:
-Your marriage must have lasted at least 10 years
-You must be currently unmarried
-You must be age 62 or older
-Your ex-spouse must be entitled to Social Security retirement or disability benefits
The benefit you can receive as a divorced spouse can be up to 50% of your ex-spouse’s full retirement amount. Rest assured—claiming these benefits does not affect their payments or those of a current spouse, if they’ve remarried.
If you qualify for benefits on both your own work record and your ex-spouse’s, Social Security will pay your own benefit first. If your divorced spouse benefit is higher, you’ll receive a combination of payments that equals the higher amount.
Even if your ex-spouse hasn’t applied for benefits but qualifies, you can still receive payments on their record as long as you’ve been divorced for at least two years.
Applying for divorced spouse benefits doesn’t require your ex-spouse’s consent or involvement, and your claim remains completely confidential.
If you have questions or want help exploring your options, give me a call.
