DIVORCED? DARK CLOUDS AND SILVER LININGS

Women currently file roughly two thirds of divorce cases in the United States, but women are the prime beneficiaries of sticking out a marriage for 10 years. The simple fact is that you need to stay married 10 years and not a day less to be able to collect spousal and survivor benefits as an ex. The benefits can be significant. We caution you not to officially unhitch before a decade’s up without at least considering these costs. Social Security has no requirement that you live with your spouse. You two can move to the opposite ends of town and still qualify for spousal and survivor benefits based on the other’s work record.