By: Terry Bennett
Many people are unaware of their spousal Social Security benefits. The attorneys at Skeeters, Bennett, Wilson & Pike want to provide you with a quick snapshot of Social Security facts that may help you in your future.
Did you know that if both you and your spouse have worked all of your adult lives, your monthly and annual benefits for Social Security could be doubled?
In the unfortunate event of a spouse’s death, the surviving spouse will continue to receive Social Security to which the deceased was entitled. That is true if the deceased spouse was receiving more in Social Security benefits than the surviving spouse. Also, if a spouse continues to care for a child younger than 16 or any child who is disabled prior to the age of 22, that spouse will be entitled to an additional 50 percent of the deceased spouse’s entitlement.
A divorced spouse may be entitled to benefits as early as age 62 if he or she was married for at least 10 years. Divorced spouses are normally entitled to the same benefits as spouses, but the divorced spouse may receive more financial protection since the benefits for divorced spouses are not subject to the maximum family benefit. This benefit for the divorced spouse will terminate if he or she remarries. They can receive benefits if their former spouse is at least 62, whether retired or not, or if the former spouse is receiving Social Security disability benefits. If you are 62 but not retired, then you must have been divorced at least two years before the divorced spouse can receive benefits.
It’s important to be aware of the spousal Social Security benefits to which you are entitled. Don’t hesitate to contact an attorney if you have any questions.
Terry joined the practice in 1974. His areas of focus include personal injury law, real estate law, probate law, estate planning, business law, corporations, and adoptions. He is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, United States Court of Appeals 6th Circuit, United States District Court Western District of Kentucky, United States Court of Military Appeals, and all Kentucky courts.
A Hardin County native and former Army office in the Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps, Terry graduated from William and Mary in Virginia with an undergraduate degree in government. He received his Juris Doctorate from Wake Forest Law School in Winston Salem, North Carolina, where he graduated with honors.