When it comes to understanding Social Security benefits for divorced spouses, there is often a lot of confusion. You might be wondering: can I still collect spousal benefits after a divorce? What are the rules?
The short answer is yes, you can collect spousal benefits after a divorce. However, there are several key conditions that must be met in order to do so. CBS News has broken down the criteria for those who are interested in filing for spousal benefits following a divorce:
- You must have been married for at least 10 years
- You must be at least 62 years old
- Your former spouse must have been eligible to receive Social Security benefits
- Your benefits as a divorced spouse must not exceed what you would receive as a current spouse
- Your former spouse must already be receiving benefits or must have already filed for them
Any benefits you receive will not impact your former spouse’s benefits or the benefits of any other family members.
The Seniors Center is here to demystify Social Security, and we’re also calling on Congress to take action and protect the future of this vital program. Learn more about our plan to fix Social Security solvency and how you can take action today—and be sure to follow us on Twitter and Facebook!