CDA Social Security & Government Benefits in Divorce 2

Question 1

What is the minimum marriage duration required for a divorced spouse to receive Social Security survivor benefits on a deceased ex-spouse's record?

Accepted Answer

10 years

Answer

Survivor benefits for divorced spouses require the marriage to have lasted at least 10 years, identical to the threshold for spousal benefits.

Question 2

A divorced surviving spouse can begin receiving reduced Social Security survivor benefits as early as age:

Accepted Answer

60 (or 50 if disabled)

Answer

Divorced surviving spouses can collect reduced survivor benefits starting at age 60, or age 50 if disabled, which is earlier than the spousal benefit start age of 62.

Question 3

If a divorced spouse qualifies for both their own Social Security retirement benefit and a divorced spouse benefit, Social Security will pay:

Accepted Answer

Whichever amount is higher

Answer

Social Security pays the higher of the two benefit amounts; a person cannot collect both their own benefit and the full divorced spouse benefit simultaneously.

Question 4

A divorced spouse survivor benefit can be as high as what percentage of the deceased ex-spouse's benefit?

Accepted Answer

100%

Answer

Survivor benefits can equal up to 100% of the deceased ex-spouse's benefit—higher than the 50% cap that applies to spousal benefits during the ex-spouse's lifetime.

Question 5

Which statement about Social Security benefits and divorce property division is correct?

Accepted Answer

Social Security benefits cannot be divided as marital property

Answer

Social Security benefits are governed exclusively by federal law and cannot be treated as marital property or divided by state divorce courts.

(CDA) Certified Divorce Advisor Practice Test

(CDA) Certified Divorce Advisor Practice Test

CDA Social Security & Government Benefits in Divorce 2