The Ex-Factor: Your Social Security Rights After Divorce

A common misunderstanding is that individuals must notify or get approval from their ex-spouse to claim Social Security benefits based on their former spouse’s record. However, if you meet the following criteria, you can claim without involving your ex:

• You are unmarried.

• You are at least 62 years old.

• Your marriage lasted 10 years or longer.

Eligible individuals can claim up to 50% of their ex-spouse’s Social Security benefit. Importantly, if your ex-spouse has remarried, or even if you have multiple ex-spouses, each eligible person can claim without reducing anyone else’s benefit.

Strategic Timing: Maximize Your Benefits After Divorce

Social Security benefits increase the longer you wait to claim, up until age 70. Deciding whether to claim on your own record or your ex-spouse’s should involve careful consideration of longevity, financial needs, and growth potential.

For widowed individuals, survivor benefits offer additional opportunities. A surviving ex-spouse may be eligible to receive 100% of the deceased spouse’s benefit while allowing their own benefit to grow until age 70. However, remarriage plays a critical role:

• Remarrying before age 62 disqualifies you from claiming benefits on a living or deceased ex-spouse’s record (unless that marriage ends).

• Remarrying after age 62 allows you to still claim survivor benefits from a deceased ex-spouse, but not from a living one.

Additionally, once you start claiming an ex-spousal benefit, you stop earning delayed retirement credits on your own record, making timing and strategy essential.

The Role of Social Security in Your Financial Plan

Social Security isn’t just a safety net, it’s a key part of comprehensive financial planning, even for those with substantial assets. Understanding how divorce, remarriage, and timing impact your benefits can help you make informed decisions that support long-term financial health. Using online calculators, consulting with the Social Security office, and working with a financial advisor can help project potential outcomes and optimize your claiming strategy.

Social Security After Divorce

Social Security rules after divorce are nuanced but offer valuable opportunities when properly understood. Whether you’re recently divorced, widowed, or considering remarriage, integrating Social Security into your financial plan is crucial for maximizing benefits and ensuring stability in retirement.

For personalized guidance on how Social Security fits into your financial future after divorce, consider scheduling a consultation with one of our financial advisors to explore your options and create a strategy tailored to your unique situation.