Social Security for Divorcees
You may be eligible to collect half of your ex-spouse's full retirement benefit.

For divorcees nearing retirement, time is of the essence to thoroughly analyze your financial readiness—and Social Security is often not given its due attention. It not only ensures a consistent income stream, but it is also somewhat customizable to individual circumstances.
Social Security benefits are far more complex than many people realize. But a financial planner who is well versed in the intricate rules and options can customize a claiming strategy based on individual circumstances such as health status, life expectancy, need for income and plans to continue working, among other factors.
Take for instance, the case of Peter and Sarah. The couple had been married for 26 years at the time of their divorce, and Peter had been the primary wage earner while they were together. Although the divorce settlement was amicable, Sarah was still worried about her retirement.

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Early Retirement May Mean Reduced Benefits for Both Ex-Spouses
One issue that concerned Sarah was that Peter had decided to retire early, before his full retirement age of 66, which would mean a reduction in benefits for both of them. And while Sarah continued to work, after her living expenses, there was not much left to save toward retirement.
After speaking with her financial adviser, Sarah got some good news. She learned that divorcees are eligible for a benefit equal to one-half of their ex-spouses full retirement amount, as long as they start receiving benefits at their own full retirement age. So for Sarah, who just turned 66, this meant she was immediately eligible for the divorced spousal benefit. She could still continue to work and sock away even more for retirement savings. And this newfound source of monthly income would have no effect on Peter's benefits. Also, he would never even know that she was receiving a distribution.
Often-Overlooked Social Security Benefits
A divorcee is entitled to benefits based on his or her ex-spouse's employment when:
- the ex is eligible for Social Security retirement or disability benefits;
- the marriage lasted 10 years or longer;
- the divorcee remains unmarried;
- the divorcee is at least age 62; and
- the benefit that the divorcee is entitled to, based on his/her own wages, is less than the benefit he/she would receive based on the ex's.
Sarah also learned that just as retiring early will reduce your Social Security benefit, delaying retirement will increase it. With that understanding, she decided to continue working until age 70, at which point, she would begin drawing a benefit based on her own wage history, rather than Peter's, and also be entitled to the maximum delayed retirement credit.
Unwinding a marriage is widely considered among the most stressful life events one can experience (second only to the death of a spouse). And ensuring a comfortable retirement is arguably the most pressing financial concern of a lifetime. Navigating the intricacies of Social Security benefits is just one of the many ways a financial adviser can help.
Dana McLaughlin, CFP®, C(k)P®, is a Senior Wealth Advisor at Beirne Wealth Consulting, a SEC Registered Investment Adviser with approximately $2 billion in assets under management. She focuses on helping clients to ultimately achieve an overall sense of financial well being by articulating their most important personal goals and connecting those goals regularly with their financial life.
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.

Dana McLaughlin, CFP®, C(k)P®, is a Senior Wealth Advisor at Beirne Wealth Consulting, a SEC Registered Investment Adviser with approximately $2 billion in assets under management. She focuses on helping clients to ultimately achieve an overall sense of financial well being by articulating their most important personal goals and connecting those goals regularly with their financial life.
About Beirne Wealth Consulting Services, LLC Beirne Wealth Consulting Services, LLC ("BWC") is a growing, privately owned, SEC Registered Investment Advisor with about $2 billion in assets under management and more than 25 employees in Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Florida. BWC provides independent, fee-based investment management services and customized financial planning solutions. The firm's institutional business provides consulting expertise to defined benefit and defined contribution plans, endowments, foundations and non-profit organizations. Its private clients include high net-worth individuals and prominent families, many of whom bring complex wealth management challenges and multigenerational planning needs.
612 Wheelers Farms Road | Milford, CT 06461 Phone (203) 951-0306 Mobile (203) 954-9843 Fax (203) 701-8607 E-mail: dmclaughlin@beirnewealth.com www.beirnewealth.com LinkedIn
-
The $33,000 Retirement: One Man's Surprising Path to Financial Freedom at 61
Forget what society tells you, even with less than $1 million, you can be happy in retirement.
-
The Best Aerospace and Defense ETFs to Buy
The best aerospace and defense ETFs can help investors capitalize on higher government defense spending or hedge against the potential of a large-scale conflict.
-
Roth IRA Conversions in the Summer? Why Now May Be the Sweet Spot
Converting now would enable you to spread a possible tax hit over more than one payment while reducing future taxes.
-
Investing Professionals Agree: Discipline Beats Drama Right Now
Big portfolio adjustments can do more harm than good. Financial experts suggest making thoughtful, strategic moves that fit your long-term goals.
-
'Doing Something' Because of Volatility Can Hurt You: Portfolio Manager Recommends Doing This Instead
Yes, it's hard, but if you tune out the siren song of high-flying sectors, resist acting on impulse and focus on your goals, you and your portfolio could be much better off.
-
Social Security's First Beneficiary Lived to Be 100: Will You?
Ida May Fuller, Social Security's first beneficiary, retired in 1939 and died in 1975. Today, we should all be planning for a retirement that's as long as Ida's.
-
An Investment Strategist Demystifies Direct Indexing: Is It for You?
You've heard of mutual funds and ETFs, but direct indexing may be a new concept ... one that could offer greater flexibility and possible tax savings.
-
Q2 2025 Post-Mortem: Rebound, Risks and Generational Shifts
As the third quarter gets underway, here are some takeaways from the market's second-quarter performance to consider as you make investment decisions.
-
Why Homeowners Should Beware of Tangled Titles
If you're planning to pass down property to your heirs, a 'tangled title' can complicate things. The good news is it can be avoided. Here's how.
-
A Cautionary Tale: Why Older Adults Should Think Twice About Being Landlords
Becoming a landlord late in life can be a risky venture because of potential health issues, cognitive challenges and susceptibility to financial exploitation.