Divorced spouses may be eligible for Social Security benefits under certain conditions, both during their lifetime and as survivors of their former spouse. There are two primary categories of benefits they may qualify for: Living Spousal Benefits and Survivor Benefits.
1. Living Spousal Benefits
A divorced spouse may be eligible to claim living spousal benefits if they meet the following requirements:
- Age: At least 62 years old
- Marriage Duration: They were married for at least 10 years
- Divorce Duration: They have been divorced for at least 2 years
- Finalized Divorce: They can provide evidence of a finalized divorce
- Marital Status: They are unmarried
- Benefit Comparison: They are not entitled to a higher benefit based on their own work record
One important aspect of living spousal benefits is that a divorced spouse can file for them even if their ex-spouse has not yet applied for Social Security benefits. This can provide some financial support while the ex-spouse delays filing.
2. Survivor Benefits
A divorced individual may also be eligible for survivor benefits if their ex-spouse has passed away, provided the following conditions are met:
- Marriage Duration: They were married for at least 10 years
- Age: The surviving ex-spouse must be at least 60 years old
- Marital Status: They must be unmarried, unless they remarried after reaching age 60
In addition to these requirements, a surviving divorced spouse has the option to file a restricted application for survivor benefits. This strategy allows them to receive survivor benefits while delaying their own retirement benefits, potentially increasing the amount they will receive in the future.
It’s important to note that if the surviving spouse files for survivor benefits before reaching their full retirement age, the amount they receive will be reduced. To understand their exact benefit amount, it is recommended that the survivor request a “Widow/Widower Statement” directly from the Social Security Administration.
