Spousal benefits, divorce, and the rules people miss
You may be entitled to more than you think based on a former spouse’s earnings record.
By Margaret Ellison5 min read
Spousal and survivor benefits are among the most misunderstood corners of Social Security — and the rules around divorce trip up even careful planners.
What many people miss
- If your marriage lasted at least 10 years, you may claim on an ex-spouse’s record even after divorce.
- Claiming on an ex-spouse’s record does not reduce their benefit or affect their current spouse.
- A surviving divorced spouse may be eligible for survivor benefits under certain conditions.
Because these benefits are never paid automatically, it pays to ask. Many eligible people simply never file the claim they were entitled to.
About the author
Margaret Ellison
Senior Benefits Correspondent
Margaret writes about Social Security claiming strategy and retirement timing, translating dense federal rules into plain, actionable language for readers approaching retirement.
