Social Security Answers
Question 6. Is it true that a divorced couple could receive twice the Social Security income of a married couple? When we retire, will we each be able to collect our full Social Security benefit, or will it be reduced?
Answer. Getting divorced will not increase a couple's total Social Security income. A couple's total Social Security income will be the sum of the primary insurance amount earned by the spouse entitled to the highest benefit, PLUS the LARGER of (1) half the primary insurance amount, or (2) the benefit to which the second spouse is entitled as a result of his/her own employment history.
Example #1 - Both spouses worked: If the highest benefit to which one spouse is entitled is $1,500 per month, and the second spouse is entitled to $1,200 per month because of his/her own work history, the couple's total Social Security income would be $2,700. If this couple divorced, their total Social Security income would remain the same: $1,500 plus $1,200 for a total of $2,700.
Example #2 - Only one spouse worked: The couple's total Social Security income would be $1,500 PLUS a spouse benefit amount equal to half the primary amount ($750) for a total of $2,250 a month. If this couple divorced, the spouse benefit could be as little as $0 depending on the length of their marriage.
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