Wyoming Social Security Divorce Benefits Calculator

Yes, Wyoming residents can collect Social Security divorced spouse benefits under the same federal rules as all Americans. Under 42 USC § 402(b), you must have been married at least 10 years, be currently unmarried, be at least 62 years old, and your ex-spouse must be eligible for Social Security benefits. If your divorce was finalized at least 2 years ago, you can claim even if your ex-spouse hasn't filed for their own benefits yet.

At full retirement age (67 for those born 1960 or later), you can receive up to 50% of your ex-spouse's primary insurance amount. For example, if your ex-spouse's full benefit is $2,400 monthly, your maximum divorced spouse benefit would be $1,200. Claiming early at age 62 reduces this to approximately 32.5% of their benefit. Unlike your own retirement benefits, there's no increase for delaying past full retirement age—50% is the maximum.

No, claiming benefits on your ex-spouse's record does not reduce their Social Security payment by even one dollar. Social Security pays divorced spouse benefits separately from the worker's own benefit. Your ex-spouse will never be notified that you've applied, cannot block your claim, and their current spouse's benefits remain completely unaffected. Multiple ex-spouses from different 10+ year marriages can all collect simultaneously on one worker's record.

Remarriage ends your eligibility for divorced spouse benefits while your ex-spouse is living—you cannot collect on their record while married to someone else. However, if your new marriage ends through divorce, death, or annulment, your eligibility resumes. For survivor benefits after your ex-spouse dies, the rules differ: remarrying before age 60 ends eligibility, but remarrying at age 60 or later allows you to continue receiving survivor benefits.

Yes, if you were married at least 10 years, you may receive survivor benefits worth 71.5% to 100% of your deceased ex-spouse's benefit amount. The percentage depends on your claiming age: at age 60, you receive 71.5%; at full retirement age (66-67), you receive 100%. You must be unmarried, or if remarried, the marriage must have occurred after age 60. Contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to apply—survivor benefits cannot be claimed online.

The optimal claiming age depends on your financial situation and health. Claiming at 62 yields only 32.5% of your ex-spouse's benefit, while waiting until full retirement age (67 for most) provides the full 50%. Unlike your own benefits, divorced spouse benefits don't increase beyond full retirement age—there's no bonus for waiting until 70. If you're still working, the 2025 earnings limit of $23,400 may reduce benefits by $1 for every $2 earned above that threshold until you reach full retirement age.

Social Security pays your own earned benefit first, then supplements it with divorced spouse benefits if eligible for a higher amount. For example, if your own benefit is $800 and your divorced spouse benefit would be $1,100, you receive your $800 plus a $300 supplement totaling $1,100. You cannot receive both full amounts simultaneously. The SSA automatically calculates and pays the higher combination when you apply for benefits.

Apply online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office. You'll need your marriage certificate, final divorce decree, and your ex-spouse's Social Security number (or their full name, date of birth, place of birth, and parents' names if the number is unavailable). SSA Form SSA-2 is used for divorced spouse benefits; Form SSA-10 is for surviving divorced spouse benefits. Don't delay your application if missing documents—Social Security will help you obtain them.