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# Social Security If You're Divorced

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<!-- video src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/J8wRFbZN.m3u8" -->
## Video: Social Security If You're Divorced

[Watch (HLS stream): Social Security If You're Divorced](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/J8wRFbZN.m3u8) (1:52)

![Social Security If You're Divorced](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/J8wRFbZN/poster.jpg?width=720)

_Published 2016-03-30. Here are a few things you probably didn't know about social security, if you're divorced._


---

Jul 27, 2023 7:51 PM UTC

---

## More From This Series

[All Videos](https://time.com/video/)

[Will Divorce Affect My Social Security Benefits? ](/video/sDqnOyeD/)

### Will Divorce Affect My Social Security Benefits?

[Will Social Security Be There for Me?](/video/D7u6xtpa/)

### Will Social Security Be There for Me?

[Will Social Security Be There For Me?](/video/0yVAkmiH/)

### Will Social Security Be There For Me?

---


## Transcript

[ MUSIC ] So Larry let's talk a little bit about the benefits that you get if you're divorced. Well you have to stay married for 10 years to collect any divorce benefits, whether it's a divorce spousal benefit, or a divorce widow's benefit. You don't have to live with a person for ten years but you still have to formally stay married for ten years. One day too short and you will lose all those potential benefits. And the other thing is you can't be remarried and collect ex spousal benefits. And normally you have to be at least 62 and your ex spouse has to be either be collecting benefits Or you have to have been devoiced for two years and they also have to be of claiming age.

So, how much is an ex- spousal benefit? It's very similar to a normal spousal benefit. Spousal benefits max out at full retirement age, which is 66 these days and at that age you're entitled to half of your ex- spouses. SOcial security earnings at their full retirement age, 66. if you take divorce spousal benefits early, or divorced widows benefits early, they'll all be reduced compared to taking them later. For most people the divorcee spousal benefit is only going to be received if it's larger than the benefit yo get on your own record. So that's very important to keep in mind. And one thing to keep in mind, which is a surprise to some people is that if your ex spouse files a claim on your earning for ex spousal benefits, it has no negative effect on your own social security benefits.

A lot of people worry about that, but they're entirely separate. I'm Larry Kotlikoff. And I'm Phil Moeller and we're here to help you get what's yours from Social Security. [ MUSIC ]

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