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Social Security Benefits based on an Ex-Spouse - MSN - FinanceBuzz Money
If you were married at least 10 years before your divorce, you may be eligible for benefits on your ex-spouse’s Social Security record. Not even a divorce decree can take away your eligibility for benefits if you meet the length of marriage requirement.
If you are single, you may still be eligible for a spousal benefit. If 100% of your own full retirement age (FRA) benefit amount is less than 50% of your ex-spouse’s FRA benefit amount, you are eligible for a spousal benefit equal to up to 50% of their benefit. To receive the full 50%, you must wait until your FRA to claim any benefits. Like any Social Security benefit, if you take it early, your benefit will be reduced. You become eligible as early as age 62, and your ex-spouse does not need to be taking their own benefit, as long as they are at least age 62 or on disability, and you have been divorced for at least 2 years.
You are also eligible for a survivor benefit on your ex-spouse if you outlive them, if their benefit is higher than your own. If you don’t remarry before your 60th birthday, you can claim it even if you are remarried. You become eligible for a survivor benefit at age 60. (50 if disabled).
Michelle Smith has written an article on the benefits an ex-spouse may be eligible for. To read her full article, click here …..
If you have more questions on spousal benefits, please email your questions to ssadvisor@amacfoundation.org or call and speak with an Accredited NSSA Social Security Advisor at (888)750-2622
This posting is presented for informational purposes only and does not represent legal or financial guidance. Any opinions or interpretations presented are either those of the original author or, in the case of articles authored by the AMAC Foundation, are the opinions of AMAC Foundation staff, originally trained and accredited by the National Social Security Association (NSSA) and certified via the AMAC Foundation. Any links included in the article are valid on the posted date; socialsecurityreport.org cannot guarantee the duration of the links’ validity. NSSA and the AMAC Foundation and its staff are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any other governmental entity. To submit a question, visit our website (https://amacfoundation.org/services/) or email us at ssadvisor@amacfoundation.org. Because we are a non-profit organization, there is no charge for these services.