Who qualifies for divorced-spouse benefits?
You qualify when all five rules are true. Miss one and the answer is "not yet" — often only a matter of time. (SSA: benefits for spouses)
- The marriage lasted at least 10 years.
- You are unmarried now.
- You are 62 or older.
- Your ex is 62 or older.
- Your ex has filed for benefits — or you've been divorced at least 2 years ("independently entitled").
Also, your own retirement benefit must be smaller than the divorced-spouse amount; otherwise SSA simply pays you on your own record.
Ex-Spouse Social Security Benefits: How Much You Can Get
An ex-spouse gets exactly what a current spouse would: up to 50% of the ex's full-retirement-age benefit, minus your own, cut if you start before your own full retirement age. Started at 62 with a full retirement age of 67, that is 32.5% of the ex's benefit instead of 50%.
| Your situation | What you can get |
|---|---|
| Ex is alive | Up to 50% of their PIA (no delayed credits) |
| Ex has died | Survivor benefit: 71.5% at 60, up to 100% |
| Several ex-spouses, same worker | Each gets the full amount; no one is reduced |
If your ex has died, you're treated like a widow(er), and the benefit includes the delayed credits they earned. See the full age schedule on the widow benefits calculator. (SSA: survivor benefits)
What happens if you remarry?
Remarrying ends divorced-spouse benefits on the ex's record (unless the new marriage also ends). Survivor benefits are kinder: remarrying at 60 or later keeps them. If you've remarried, compare your new spouse's record on the spousal benefits calculator — you can be paid on whichever is higher.
Our take: the calendar is part of the decision
If you're divorcing after nine-and-a-half years, the 10-year line is worth knowing before you sign. And if you were married 10+ years and are thinking of remarrying before 60, run these numbers first. When you're ready to pick an age, the break-even calculator shows what waiting is worth on your own record.