<h2>Unlocking Social Security Benefits After Divorce</h2>
Emotions often run high when thinking about an ex-spouse, especially when financial changes have occurred post-divorce.
If you are over 62, single, and divorced from someone receiving Social Security retirement or disability benefits, there is a possibility for you to also receive benefits based on their earnings.
Certain criteria apply; for instance, the marriage to your ex-spouse must have lasted for at least a decade. In case of remarriage, eligibility for benefits on your former partner’s record is contingent on the termination of the subsequent marriage through annulment, divorce, or death. Additionally, if you are entitled to benefits based on your own work history, the amount received must be lower than what you would get from your ex-spouse’s record. Essentially, you are entitled to the higher of the two benefits, not both.
Even if your ex-partner has not retired, you can still apply for benefits based on their record provided you have been divorced for a minimum of two years prior to applying.
Upon reaching full retirement age, you can opt for receiving benefits solely as a divorced spouse, deferring benefits from your own record, potentially resulting in a higher monthly payout.
If you were born before January 2, 1954 and reach full retirement age, you have the option to choose only the benefits as a divorced spouse, leading to a potentially increased monthly benefit.
Similar regulations apply for a deceased former spouse. The benefits you receive do not impact what your ex-spouse or their current spouse is entitled to. If your ex-partner passes away post-divorce, you can still qualify for widow’s benefits.
Utilize our Benefits Planner to estimate your monthly benefit amount and explore the eligibility requirements for applying as a divorced spouse in the Retirement Planner: If You Are Divorced section.
We trust that this information brings some positivity to the array of emotions associated with thoughts of your ex-partner!
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