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Divorce

Q&A: How late-in-life divorce could affect Social Security benefits

April 29, 2024 By Liz Weston

Dear Liz: I’m a CPA and getting conflicting answers from the Social Security office about a case I’m working on. Both clients are 70 and they’re considering legal separation or divorce. She took Social Security at 62 and receives about $1,500 a month before deductions. He started Social Security at 70 and receives about $4,600. How would her Social Security change at his death or their divorce, if she doesn’t remarry?

Answer: Based on the amounts involved, both parties are receiving their own retirement benefits and those aren’t affected by divorce, said William Reichenstein, a principal at Social Security Solutions, a claiming strategy site. (If the wife were receiving spousal benefits, those would continue after divorce as long as the marriage lasted at least 10 years and she did not remarry.)

If the husband dies and they haven’t divorced, the wife would be entitled to survivor benefits equal to his full monthly benefit amount ($4,600, plus any future cost of living increases). If they divorce and the marriage lasted at least 10 years, she also would be entitled to his full amount. Remarriage wouldn’t affect her divorced survivor benefit since she’s over 60, Reichenstein said.

Filed Under: Q&A, Social Security Tagged With: Divorce, divorce after 60, divorced spousal benefits, divorced survivor benefits, Social Security, spousal benefits, survivor benefits

Q&A: Social Security and divorce

August 15, 2022 By Liz Weston

Dear Liz: I was married for 25 years. Most of the time, I was a full-time housewife and worked part time here and there. Social Security keeps telling me that I can’t collect on my ex’s Social Security until he dies. He is 74 and I am 72. I started collecting at 62 and don’t get that much in Social Security. Is it true that I have to wait until he dies to get more?

Answer: Technically, you’re eligible for a divorced spousal benefit that’s up to 50% of your ex’s benefit if your marriage lasted at least 10 years and you haven’t remarried. If that amount is less than your own benefit, though, you wouldn’t get anything extra.

The math changes if your ex should die. Then you would be eligible for a survivor’s benefit that is equal to what he was receiving. If that amount is larger than your own benefit, you would get the larger amount.

Filed Under: Divorce & Money, Q&A, Social Security Tagged With: Divorce, q&a, Social Security

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

January 26, 2021 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: How to retire rich without following a budget. Also in the news: a new episode of the Smart Money podcast on how to buy a house in 2021, a look at President Biden’s housing plans, and how much a divorce will cost you.

You’ll Never Follow a Budget. Here’s How to Retire Rich Anyway
Calculate your net worth by taking what you own and subtracting what you owe to measure your financial progress.

Smart Money Podcast: How to Buy a House in 2021
And a discussion of NerdWallet’s Best-Of Awards.

The Property Line: Biden Housing Plans Include Down Payment Help
Joe Biden’s campaign included numerous proposals to expand housing opportunity. Here’s what some of them might look like.

How Much Will A Divorce Will Cost You?
Breaking down the cost.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: Biden housing plans, budgets, Divorce, Retirement, Smart Money podcast

Q&A: Rules about a dead ex’s pension

July 22, 2019 By Liz Weston

Dear Liz: My ex-spouse passed away recently. She had a pension, and I got 25% of the monthly amount (we had a Qualified Domestic Relations Order to divide the pension). I am now the survivor, but I still get the same amount every month. Shouldn’t I be getting what she received?

Answer: Pensions for survivors don’t always increase when the primary worker dies, and sometimes they go away entirely.

That makes them different from Social Security, where a surviving spouse would get the larger of the two checks a couple received. A qualifying divorced spouse may also qualify to get a Social Security check equal to what the deceased was getting.

What happens to the pension probably depends on the details of your QDRO. Pension companies don’t always give survivors accurate information, so check with your lawyer to see what is supposed to happen according to your agreement.

Filed Under: Divorce & Money, Q&A, Retirement Tagged With: Divorce, Pension, q&a, Qualified Domestic Relations Order

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

June 27, 2019 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: TransferWise launches traveler and immigrant-friendly debit card. Also in the news: How to get free baby stuff, dodging dealership dread with online used car sellers, and how to protect your money in a divorce.

TransferWise Launches Traveler- and Immigrant-Friendly Debit Card
No foreign transaction fees.

How to Get Free Baby Stuff: Diapers, Clothes and More
Free stuff for the newbie.

Dodge Dealership Dread With Online Used Car Sellers
Buy a car right from your phone.

How to Protect Your Money in a Divorce
All about the prenup.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: couples and money, debit card, Divorce, free baby stuff, no fees, online used car sellers, TransferWise

Friday’s need-to-know money news

February 1, 2019 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: The biggest financial mistake women make. Also in the news: 4 business credit card mistakes you can’t afford to make, 5 divorce mistakes that can cost you, and why you might owe taxes this year.

The Biggest Financial Mistake Women Make
Investing is important.

4 Business Credit Card Mistakes You Can’t Afford to Make
Don’t get in over your head.

5 Divorce Mistakes That Can Cost You
No talking on Twitter.

Why You Might Owe Taxes This Year
About that tax break…

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: business credit cards, Divorce, divorce mistakes, financial mistakes, tax cut, Taxes, women and money

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