Maryland Social Security Divorce Benefits Calculator

Yes, Maryland residents can collect Social Security divorced spouse benefits if the marriage lasted at least 10 years under 42 U.S.C. § 402(b). You must be at least 62 years old, currently unmarried, and your ex-spouse must be eligible for Social Security benefits. If your ex-spouse hasn't filed yet, you can still claim after being divorced for at least 2 continuous years.

You can receive up to 50% of your ex-spouse's Primary Insurance Amount if you claim at your full retirement age (67 for those born 1960 or later). Claiming at age 62 reduces your benefit to approximately 32.5% of their full benefit. For example, if your ex-spouse's monthly benefit is $2,400, you could receive up to $1,200 at FRA or about $780 at age 62.

No, claiming divorced spouse benefits does not reduce your ex-spouse's Social Security payment in any way. The Social Security Administration pays benefits from general funds, not from your ex-spouse's account. Additionally, the SSA will not notify your former spouse that you have applied for benefits on their record, and they cannot block your claim.

If you remarry while your ex-spouse is still living, you lose eligibility for divorced spouse benefits based on their record. However, if your new marriage ends through divorce, death, or annulment, eligibility can be restored. For survivor benefits from a deceased ex-spouse, you can remarry after age 60 (or age 50 if disabled) without losing benefits.

Yes, if your ex-spouse dies and you were married for at least 10 years, you may qualify for survivor benefits worth up to 100% of their benefit amount at your full retirement age. You can claim reduced survivor benefits starting at age 60, receiving 71.5% of their benefit. You must be unmarried or have remarried after age 60 to qualify.

The optimal claiming age depends on your financial situation and life expectancy. Claiming at 62 provides the earliest income but permanently reduces your benefit to 32.5% of your ex-spouse's amount. Waiting until full retirement age (67 for those born 1960+) maximizes your benefit at 50%. Unlike your own retirement benefits, divorced spouse benefits do not increase by waiting past FRA.

The Social Security Administration automatically pays the higher of the two benefits. If your own retirement benefit exceeds 50% of your ex-spouse's Primary Insurance Amount, you receive your own benefit. If the divorced spouse benefit is higher, SSA pays your own benefit first plus the difference to equal the divorced spouse amount. You cannot receive both full amounts.

Apply online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or at your local Social Security office. You'll need your marriage certificate, final divorce decree, and your ex-spouse's Social Security number (or identifying information like birthdate and parents' names). Apply 3 months before you want benefits to start. The SSA recommends not delaying your application if you're missing documents—they will help you obtain them.