How a Divorced-Spouse Social Security Strategy Can Add $14,400 a Year at 66

Learn how a divorced spouse can boost Social Security income. A smart claiming strategy can add about $14,400/year for some 66-year-olds. Check eligibility now.

A little-known Social Security tactic can make a big difference for some divorced retirees. Consider a 66-year-old woman who was married for 14 years, divorced nearly two decades ago, and never remarried. After raising children she worked part-time and in lower-wage jobs, while her ex-husband steadily advanced in his career and is still working at 68. Because her own Social Security benefit is relatively small, she can use a divorced spouse strategy to significantly increase her annual income—by roughly $14,400 in the right circumstances.

How the divorced-spouse strategy works
Social Security allows an ex-spouse to claim spousal benefits on an ex’s record if certain conditions are met: the marriage lasted at least 10 years, the claimant is unmarried, and the ex is eligible for Social Security retirement or disability benefits. At full retirement age (FRA), a qualifying divorced spouse may be entitled to up to 50% of the ex-spouse’s primary insurance amount (PIA). If that spousal amount is higher than the claimant’s own retirement benefit, switching to the divorced-spouse benefit can raise monthly and annual income substantially.

Why this can add $14,400 a year
In this scenario, the woman’s own FRA benefit is low because of part-time, lower-wage work. Her ex-husband’s higher earnings history means her divorced-spouse benefit at her FRA could be much larger—enough to add roughly $1,200 per month, or about $14,400 per year, compared with claiming only her own benefit.

Important rules and caveats
- Spousal benefits are generally capped at 50% of the ex’s PIA at FRA. - Spousal benefits do not earn delayed retirement credits; only your own benefit does. - Recent rule changes affect “restricted application” strategies for people born on or after Jan. 2, 1954. - You must be unmarried to claim a divorced-spouse benefit.

Take action
If you’re divorced and approaching retirement, review your Social Security statement, estimate both your own and any spousal benefits, and contact the Social Security Administration or a trusted financial advisor to confirm eligibility and the best claiming age. A carefully timed claiming strategy can boost retirement income and turn an overlooked benefit into meaningful extra cash each year.

Back