Virginia Social Security Divorce Benefits Calculator

Yes, if your marriage lasted at least 10 years under the strict federal requirement of 42 U.S.C. § 402(b)(1). You must be at least 62 years old, currently unmarried, and your ex-spouse must be eligible for Social Security benefits. Virginia divorce law has no bearing on this federal benefit—state courts cannot award or divide Social Security benefits, only federal rules apply.

You can receive up to 50% of your ex-spouse's full retirement age benefit if you claim at your own full retirement age. Claiming early reduces this amount—at age 62, you receive only about 32.5% of their benefit. For example, if your ex qualifies for $2,000 monthly, your maximum divorced spouse benefit is $1,000 at full retirement age or approximately $650 at age 62.

No, your divorced spouse benefit has absolutely no effect on your ex-spouse's Social Security payments. The SSA does not notify your former spouse when you file a claim on their record. Their benefit amount stays exactly the same whether you claim or not, and their current spouse's benefits are also unaffected.

Remarriage before age 60 terminates your eligibility for divorced spouse benefits while your ex is living. However, if that subsequent marriage ends through death, divorce, or annulment, your eligibility is restored. For survivor benefits after an ex-spouse dies, remarriage after age 60 does not affect eligibility—you can remarry and still collect 100% survivor benefits.

Yes, survivor benefits provide up to 100% of your deceased ex-spouse's benefit amount—double the 50% available while they were living. You must have been married at least 10 years and be at least age 60 (or age 50 if disabled). You cannot remarry before age 60 and retain eligibility. Apply by calling SSA at 1-800-772-1213; survivor applications cannot be completed online.

Waiting until your full retirement age maximizes your divorced spouse benefit at 50% of your ex's benefit. Claiming at 62 reduces your benefit to approximately 32.5%—a permanent reduction of about 35%. Unlike your own retirement benefit, divorced spouse benefits do not increase by waiting past full retirement age, so there's no advantage to delaying beyond FRA.

Under dual entitlement rules, SSA automatically pays whichever benefit is higher. If you qualify for both, you receive your own retirement benefit plus the difference between your benefit and the divorced spouse benefit. For example, if your benefit is $800 and your divorced spouse benefit would be $1,200, you receive your $800 plus a $400 supplement.

Apply by calling SSA at 1-800-772-1213, visiting your local Social Security office, or applying online at ssa.gov for divorced spouse retirement benefits. Bring your final Virginia divorce decree, marriage certificate, and your ex-spouse's Social Security number (or their date and place of birth if you don't have their SSN). Survivor benefit applications require an in-person or phone appointment.