Understanding Social Security and the impact of divorce can be beneficial.
Social Security benefits can be affected by divorce and it is important to become aware of the impact as Money points out in “Will My Divorce Affect My Social Security Benefits?”
A married person can forgo his or her own Social Security benefit and instead receive Social Security benefits equal to half of the spouse’s. Divorced people have the same option in many cases.
If you were married for at least 10 years, have been divorced for at least two years, and both you and your ex-spouse are at least 62 years old, you can choose to receive a Social Security benefit equal to half of your ex-spouse’s monthly benefit.
You can do so regardless of whether your ex-spouse has started receiving benefits. If you have been married more than once, you can choose which ex-spouse’s benefits to use as long as the above requirements are all met.
An elder law attorney can help guide you through the questions of the impact of divorce on Social Security benefits.
Reference: Money (Aug. 23, 2016) “Will My Divorce Affect My Social Security Benefits?”
