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divorce after 60

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

This week’s money news

September 11, 2023 By Liz Weston

This week’s top story:  3 ways to reduce taxes on Social Security. In other news: How one driver cut her auto insurance costs by almost 40%, how to budget with a fluctuating income, and divorce after 60 and health benefits.

3 Ways to Reduce Taxes on Social Security
There are a few ways to reduce that tax bite, however, especially if you can plan ahead.

How One Driver Cut Her Auto Insurance Costs by Almost 40%
Auto insurance rates are on the rise. Here’s what you can do to lower yours.

How to Budget With a Fluctuating Income
If you have irregular income, it’s important to track your spending and create a budget so that you can plan ahead.

Divorce After 60: What Happens to Your Health Benefits?
From COBRA to Medicare, here are the questions to ask about health care coverage after a later-in-life divorce.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: auto insurance rates, budget with a fluctuating income, divorce after 60, health benefits, reduce taxes on Social Security

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