Social Security Benefits for Divorced Spouses- If certain conditions are met, a divorced spouse may be eligible to receive up to half of your Social Security retirement or disability benefits.
Under certain conditions, an ex-spouse may be eligible to receive benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA) based on their ex-spouse’s employment history. Regardless of whether the primary beneficiary has remarried, this benefit is still available and does not lower the primary beneficiary’s benefit amount.
Eligibility Requirements to receive the Social Security Benefits for Divorced Spouses
- To be eligible for this benefit, you must have been married to your ex-spouse for a minimum of 10 years. This time frame is a rigorous prerequisite, and reaching this level is a prerequisite for eligibility.
- Furthermore, unless your ex-spouse is currently receiving Social Security benefits, the divorce must have been finalized for a minimum of two years.
- The divorced spouse cannot be remarried at this time, and both parties must be at least 62 years old. Based on their ex-spouse’s employment history, the divorced spouse who remarried is typically no longer eligible for benefits. However, there may be exceptions if the second marriage ends.
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How much ex-spouse can receive?
- If a divorced spouse claims at the full retirement age, which varies from 66 years to 67 years old depending on the person’s birth year, they can receive up to 50% of their ex-spouse’sfull retirement benefit.
- The amount that the divorced spouse receives will be less if they apply for benefits earlier.
- The primary beneficiary’s payout is unaffected by spousal benefit claims, and the primary beneficiary’s current spouse’s benefits, if any, are not diminished.
- This clause makes sure that an ex-spouse’s claim is separate and doesn’t affect the primary beneficiary financially.
Making a Social Security Benefits Application as a Spouse in Divorce
You can schedule an appointment at your local Social Security office or apply for benefits online at ssa.gov. You must be aware of the following in order to apply for benefits based on a former spouse’s employment history:
- Your birthplace and Social Security number
- Your most recent employment history
- Your ex-spouse’s birthday and Social Security number.
- Dates of your divorce and marriage.
- The country, the state, and the city where you got married.
- Your direct deposit routing number and bank account.
- Social Security Administration. “Submit a Social Security Benefits Application.”
You will be eligible for the higher of the two amounts when you apply for spousal benefits as a divorced spouse because Social Security will presume that you are also requesting for benefits according to your own work history. In the event that your benefit is less, Social Security will first pay you a sum determined by your record, and then use your ex-spouse’s record to make up the difference.
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Important Points
- You must be at least 62 years old, single, and the marriage must have lasted for at least 10 years before ending in divorce.
- The divorced spouse may be eligible to receive up to 50% of their ex’s benefits if specific conditions are met.
- If you meet certain requirements, you can choose to only receive your ex’s benefits and postpone receiving your own.
- The Social Security Administration requires divorced spouses to apply for their ex’s benefits either in person at their local Social Security office or online.
