How to Boost Your Social Security Spousal Benefits if You’re Divorced

As you approach your divorce, you can expect Social Security benefits to be an issue in the asset division process. Even if you’ve never worked under Social Security, there’s still a possibility you can get a share of your former spouse’s retirement benefits if you are 62 or older and if your spouse receives disability or retirement benefits.

Below are a few tips and issues to keep in mind when seeking Social Security spousal benefits after a divorce.

Restricted applications

Any women (either married or divorced) born before January 2, 1954, may file a restricted application, which allows them to claim spousal benefits while letting their benefits grow based on their history of earnings. Anyone born after this date is ineligible for the restricted application.

Do not keep working

If you file while you are still working, it could result in you giving up a significant portion of your Social Security benefits, as you would have earning limits. Therefore, this is a strategy you should try to wait to employ until you know you will no longer be working.

Waiting to get divorced

You qualify for divorced benefits under Social Security if you were married for at least 10 years. Therefore, if you are getting close to your 10th anniversary, it can be beneficial to wait until you officially hit that 10-year mark to file your divorce papers so that you can qualify for those divorced Social Security benefits.

To learn more about the issues surrounding divorce and Social Security benefits, consult a skilled divorce lawyer with Bryan L. Salamone & Associates.