Divorced spouses are able to collect Social Security benefits on one another.  The main criteria is that you were married for at least 10 years, continuously.   If you are divorced for less than 2 years, your ex- spouse (the one you will be collecting on) will need to be collecting Social security benefits in order for you to receive your benefits.

However, if you were married for 10 continuous years and you have been  divorced for more than 2 years, your ex does not need to be receiving benefits AS LONG AS THEY ARE LEAST AGE 62,  in order for you to collect Social Security benefits.  If you are divorced for more than 2 years you will be deemed an “Independently Entitled Divorced Spouse”.

If you and your ex-spouse were born before 01/01/1954, there are Social Security strategies that you can implement that will allow your Social Security to grow to age 70 and allow you to earn delayed retirement credits (DRC).  If you were born after 01/01/1954, this strategy will not apply.

Have questions about Social Security? If you need help understanding your Social Security, call Dave Silver Insurance.