There are different strategies for claiming Social Security benefits if you are divorced or widowed. Follow along as Joe Anderson explains the different rules for each.
0:18 “If you’re divorced, you can still claim on your ex-spouse’s Social Security benefit; here’s the rule: you have to have been married for at least ten years to that spouse”
0:27 “Some individuals have been married more than once, so let’s say if you were married twice, as long as you were married to each spouse for ten years, you can still claim on the higher benefit of the two spouses”
0:39 “Some people say, ‘Is it going to take money away from my ex-spouse?’ No, it’s not taking money away”
0:48 “If I was married for at least ten years, if I was 62 years of age or older and if you’re not yet re-married, then you can claim on your ex-spouse”
1:22 “Let’s say you are widowed; there are different rules. You have a retirement benefit when it comes to Social Security and you have a survivor benefit; these are two separate pools of money which most people don’t understand”
1:39 “If your husband or wife passes, you can claim a survivor benefit as long as you are 60 years of age”
2:38 “If you’re married there are 527 different combinations to claim your Social Security benefit; if one of your spouses were to pass or you get divorced, there are so many more convoluted types of strategies that you’ll want to take a look at”
2:51 “I would encourage you to speak with the Social Security Administration when it comes to this or work with a qualified advisor that can help you weave through the mess of Social Security”
