Social Security does not offer “divorce benefits,” although divorced couples are frequently qualified to collect benefits based on their ex-spouse’s income history.
Social Security spousal payments are frequently granted to ex-spouses, although under somewhat strict terms. Sometimes ex-spouses are more flexible and offer better possibilities than their married colleagues.
However, minor scheduling differences may result in a divorced spouse receiving less benefits or none at all than they otherwise would.
When a marriage lasts for ten years or longer, and the couple was divorced for at least 2 years (usually), and the ex-spouse seeking the advantages is still single, Social Security spousal payments may be obtained on the former spouse’s income record. Both ex-spouses must also be at least 62 years old.
A divorced adult might separately claim benefits based on another former spouse’s earnings history if the requirements are satisfied.
The former spouse whose financial history forms the foundation of the claim does not have to be getting retirement benefits to be eligible. The ex-spouse whose earnings form the base of the claim is not notified that the former spouse is seeking benefits, is not consulted, and is free to remarry.
The sum of benefits provided to the employee or any of their current spouses is unaffected by the spousal benefits received by an ex-spouse. This implies that according to the same worker’s wage history, 3 or additional people may file claims for benefits.
According to the earnings history of the other ex-spouse, a divorced spouse may be eligible to receive spousal benefits or achieved retirement benefits, whichever is higher.
To make things easy, let’s say the ex-wife is thinking of relying on the ex-husband’s wage record to qualify for spousal payments.
If the ex-wife waits to file for the advantages until she has reached her full retirement age, the spousal benefit will be equal to 50% of the ex-husband’s entire retirement payment.