CDA Social Security & Government Benefits in Divorce 3

Question 1

Divorce is a qualifying life event for COBRA continuation coverage. How long can a divorced spouse maintain coverage under the former spouse's employer health plan via COBRA?

Accepted Answer

36 months

Answer

18 months

Answer

24 months

Answer

48 months

Question 2

A non-working spouse who lacked their own Medicare work credits can qualify for Medicare based on an ex-spouse's work record if the marriage lasted at least:

Accepted Answer

10 years

Answer

5 years

Answer

7 years

Answer

20 years

Question 3

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) differs from regular Social Security disability or retirement benefits in that SSI is:

Accepted Answer

A needs-based program funded by general federal tax revenues, not FICA

Answer

Based entirely on the claimant's own work history

Answer

Available only to divorced individuals over 62

Answer

Automatically awarded to any divorced spouse who is disabled

Question 4

Under the Uniformed Services Former Spouses' Protection Act (USFSPA), military retirement pay in a divorce can be:

Accepted Answer

Treated as marital property divisible by state courts

Answer

Never divided under any circumstances

Answer

Divided only if both spouses served in the military

Answer

Divided only up to 25% of the service member's pay

Question 5

In military divorce, the '10/10 rule' means the former spouse qualifies for direct payment from the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) when:

Accepted Answer

The marriage overlapped at least 10 years with 10 years of creditable military service

Answer

The marriage lasted 10 years and the service member has 10 years of reserve duty

Answer

The former spouse receives 10% of pay for each 10 years of marriage

Answer

Benefits terminate automatically after 10 years of payments

Question 6

Which federal benefit is NOT divisible as marital property in a divorce proceeding?

Accepted Answer

Social Security retirement benefits

Answer

Military retirement pay under USFSPA

Answer

A 401(k) plan balance via QDRO

Answer

Federal civil service pension via COAP

Question 7

When a divorce client asks a CDA for specific advice on how to claim Social Security benefits for maximum lifetime income, the CDA's most appropriate response is to:

Accepted Answer

Educate the client on how divorced-spouse and survivor benefits work, then refer them to a Social Security specialist or elder law attorney for personalized claiming guidance

Answer

Guarantee specific benefit amounts and recommend an exact claiming date in writing

Answer

Draft the separation agreement to include Social Security allocation terms binding on the SSA

Answer

Advise the client that Social Security is irrelevant to divorce financial planning