Social Security benefits and divorce
Jul 1 2016 - Posted by On Behalf of the Lincoln Law Firm, PPLC, in High Asset Divorce, Tagged in high asset divorce
A divorce is something that most people don’t assume is going to affect them. No one gets married with the assumption that their marriage is going to end in divorce. But for many Houston couples, a divorce is something that will affect them both emotionally and financially.
When a couple believes that their marriage has ended, they can feel extremely sad, stressed and anxious about their future. At a certain age, a person knows they will be receiving Social Security benefits as a retirement benefit. For those who are divorced, it is important to know how a divorce can affect Social Security benefits.
If the couple was married for 10 years or more, they are eligible for divorced spouse Social Security benefits as long as they remain single. If their spouse dies after the divorce and they had been married 10 years or more, they are eligible for divorced spouse survivor benefits if they remain single or don’t get remarried until after age 60.
When a person remarries, they are no longer eligible for divorced spouse Social Security benefits. If a person is close to the 10-year mark, they may want to keep in mind these Social Security rules so that they know how a divorce can affect their financial future. A legal professional skilled in family law may be able to help a person who is considering a divorce. They can help their client learn the implications of a divorce on their finances both now and in the future. There are many different complications that a person needs to think about, including property division, child support, spousal support and retirement benefits. Consulting a knowledgeable professional can help a person make informed choices.
Source: Tallahassee.com, “What does divorce have to do with Social Security benefits?,” Bill Jones, June 27, 2016