Can divorced spouses both get full Social Security retirement benefits or are they reduced?

Good news - your Social Security retirement benefits based on your own work records are completely separate. Each of you will receive exactly what you've earned regardless of your marital status. The divorce doesn't reduce either person's benefit amount based on their own work history at all.Since you were married for more than 10 years, there's actually a potential bonus: your ex-wife might qualify for spousal benefits based on your record if that would give her more than her own benefit. This wouldn't reduce your payment at all. She'd need to wait until full retirement age (probably 67 for her) to get the maximum spousal benefit though.

That's a relief to hear! So I'll get my full amount no matter what. And she might even get more if my earnings were significantly higher? Does she have to wait until our divorce is finalized to claim anything, or can she file based on her own record now?

my brother got divorced last year and he said they both got whatever social security they earned. his ex wife got less cause she worked part time alot but that had nothing to do with divorce, just how much they each put in

Thanks for sharing that. Sounds like what the other person said too, that we'll each get what we earned. That makes things a lot simpler.

To be precise about your situation:1. You will each receive your own retirement benefits based entirely on your individual earnings records2. The divorce has zero impact on your personal benefit amounts3. Since your marriage lasted more than 10 years, your ex-wife may be eligible for spousal benefits (up to 50% of your FRA benefit) if that exceeds her own benefit amount4. For her to claim on your record, you must be at least 62, and your divorce must be finalized5. If she remarries, she generally loses ability to claim on your recordImportant: If either of you claim before your Full Retirement Age (FRA), your benefits will be permanently reduced - but this has nothing to do with divorce. It's just the standard early filing reduction that applies to everyone.

ONE THING NOBODY MENTIONED!!! The wife can't file for spousal benefits on his record until they've been divorced for TWO YEARS unless he's already filed for his own benefits!!! This is called the two-year waiting period and SSA doesn't tell people about it until its too late! Ask me how I know... 🙄 My ex-husbands benefit was way higher than mine and I had to wait those extra 2 years after our divorce because he hadn't filed yet.

You've raised an excellent point about the two-year rule. To clarify for everyone:If the ex-spouse (the higher earner) has NOT yet filed for their own benefits, then yes, the divorced spouse must wait until two years after the divorce is finalized before claiming divorced spousal benefits.However, if the ex-spouse has already filed for their own benefits, the divorced spouse can claim immediately after the divorce is finalized (assuming they meet all other eligibility requirements).

Just went thru this myself last year. We both get our own SS amounts, nothing is reduced due to divorce. Actually, being divorced can be better in some cases because u can choose between ur own benefits or 50% of ex-spouse's if that's higher (after 10 yr marriage). One thing to consider is when to claim - it makes a HUGE difference. My ex claimed at 62 and I waited til 67 (my FRA) and I get about $760 more per month than him, even tho we had pretty similar earnings!

Thank you for sharing your experience. I hadn't even thought about the timing issue. I was planning to claim at 62 because I need the income, but maybe I should reconsider if the difference is that significant. Is there some calculator on the SSA website to figure out these differences?

To answer your question about calculators - yes, the SSA has excellent tools. Log into MySocialSecurity account at ssa.gov to see your personalized estimates at different claiming ages. The difference between claiming at 62 vs. Full Retirement Age (66-67 depending on birth year) can be around 30%! And waiting until 70 can increase your benefit by another 24-32% beyond FRA. For many people, waiting is mathematically advantageous if you live beyond around age 80. However, I understand immediate income needs often outweigh long-term maximization strategies.

I've tried logging into my MySocialSecurity account but it's been locked after too many password attempts. Been trying to call them for days but can't get through. It's so frustrating!

I had the EXACT same problem getting into my account!!! Spent literally HOURS on hold with SS only to get disconnected. I finally used this service called Claimyr that got me through to an agent in 20 minutes. They explained that my security questions needed to be reset because of some system update. You can see how it works at claimyr.com or check their video at https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU - totally worth it after I wasted two days trying to get through on my own.

That sounds exactly like what I need right now. I'll check out that site. Getting this account access fixed would help me make a better decision about when to claim.

sorry but im confused about something...if the wife can get 50% of husbands SS and husband gets 100% of his SS...isnt that 150% total? seems like theyre getting more by being divorced then if they stayed married?

That's a common misunderstanding. Here's how it actually works:1. If married, a spouse can receive up to 50% of the higher earner's benefit amount if that's more than their own benefit. They get either their own benefit OR the spousal benefit, whichever is higher - not both.2. After divorce (if married 10+ years), the same rule applies - the lower-earning ex-spouse can receive up to 50% of the higher earner's benefit if that exceeds their own benefit amount.In neither case does anyone receive 150% combined. The ex-spouse's benefit has no impact on what the higher earner receives. This is why a person can have multiple ex-spouses all collecting on their record simultaneously (if all marriages lasted 10+ years).

isn't there something about social security and alimony? my cousin said something about that affecting her payments

Alimony and Social Security are completely separate systems that don't directly affect each other's payment amounts. However, there are a few interactions to be aware of:1. In some states, courts may consider potential Social Security benefits when determining alimony amounts2. If you receive both Social Security benefits and substantial alimony income, there could potentially be tax implications3. If you receive SSI (Supplemental Security Income), which is different from retirement benefits, then alimony could reduce those payments since SSI is needs-basedFor standard Social Security retirement benefits based on work history, alimony neither increases nor decreases your benefit amount.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful information! I finally got through to Social Security (used that Claimyr service someone mentioned - worked great). The agent confirmed what you all said - we each get our own benefits regardless of the divorce. She also showed me the difference in my benefit amounts: at 62 I'd get about $1,875 monthly, but if I wait until my FRA at 67, it jumps to around $2,650! That's a huge difference. Since my soon-to-be-ex makes less than me, she might be better off taking the spousal benefit eventually. I'm going to work a couple more years and then decide when to file. Really appreciate all the advice here - saved me a lot of confusion!