Even if you're divorced, you may still be entitled to a spousal benefits from the Social Security Administration. To qualify, however, four things must be true.
First, you must have been married to your ex-spouse for at least 10 years. Second, you must be at least 62. Third, you must be unmarried currently. And fourth, you can't be entitled to a higher Social Security benefit on your own accord.
Assuming you satisfy this four-part test, in turn, you have effectively the same rights vis-a-vis your spousal share of an ex's Social Security. Namely, while the ex is living, you're entitled to as much as 50% of his or her monthly payout. And when that person dies, you assume survivor's benefits, which qualify you for as much as 100% of the deceased ex-spouse's benefits.
To learn more about this, check out the following video, in which Motley Fool contributor John Maxfield discusses the ins and outs of former spouses' rights to collect spousal Social Security benefits.
