Nebraska Social Security Divorce Benefits Calculator

Yes, Nebraska residents can collect divorced spouse Social Security benefits if the marriage lasted at least 10 consecutive 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 (have at least 40 work credits). If divorced for 2+ years, you can claim even if your ex-spouse hasn't filed yet.

You can receive up to 50% of your ex-spouse's Primary Insurance Amount if you claim at full retirement age (67 for those born 1960 or later). Claiming at age 62 permanently reduces your benefit to 32.5% of their PIA. For example, if your ex-spouse's full benefit is $2,000 monthly, you could receive $1,000 at FRA or $650 at age 62. There's no benefit increase for waiting past FRA.

No, claiming divorced spouse benefits has absolutely no effect on your ex-spouse's Social Security payments. The SSA calculates and pays benefits independently—your claim won't reduce their benefit or affect payments to their current spouse or dependents. Additionally, the SSA keeps your claim confidential and will not notify your former spouse that you've applied.

If you remarry before age 60, you lose eligibility for divorced spouse benefits based on a living ex-spouse's record at any age, and survivor benefits from a deceased ex-spouse. However, remarrying after age 60 (or 50 if disabled) preserves your survivor benefit eligibility. If your new marriage ends through divorce, death, or annulment, you may regain eligibility for your previous ex-spouse's benefits.

Yes, if you were married for at least 10 years, you may receive 71.5% to 100% of your deceased ex-spouse's benefit amount as a surviving divorced spouse. Benefits start at 71.5% if claimed at age 60 and increase to 100% at full retirement age. You must be unmarried, or have remarried only after age 60 (50 if disabled). These benefits don't affect payments to your ex's widow or other survivors.

Unlike your own retirement benefits, divorced spouse benefits don't increase past full retirement age, so waiting beyond 67 (for those born 1960+) provides no advantage. Claim at 62 if you need income immediately; claim at FRA for the maximum 50%. Consider the 2025 earnings test: if you earn over $23,400 while under FRA, $1 is deducted for every $2 over the limit. After FRA, no earnings restrictions apply.

You receive whichever benefit is higher—you cannot collect both simultaneously. When you apply, SSA automatically calculates both your own retirement benefit and your divorced spouse benefit. If your own benefit is $800 and your ex-spouse benefit would be $1,200, you receive your $800 plus a $400 supplement to equal the higher spousal amount. This deemed filing rule applies to anyone born after January 1, 1954.

Apply by calling SSA at 1-800-772-1213 (Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–7 p.m.) or visiting your local Nebraska Social Security office—online applications aren't available for divorced spouse benefits. Bring your marriage certificate and divorce decree to verify the 10-year marriage requirement and current marital status. You'll need your ex-spouse's Social Security number or date of birth to locate their record.