Many women believe that they are not entitled to Social Security if they are divorced. The truth is, you can get Social Security on your ex-spouse’s record, under certain circumstances, even if you have been divorced for many years.

There are two U.S. Social Security benefits you may be entitled to – spousal support and survivor benefits. If you qualify and your ex is still living, spousal support is 50% of his payment amount. If he is deceased, survivor benefits are paid at 100%. This applies if you are not eligible for benefits on your own work record or your payment will be relatively low.

To Qualify for Spousal Support When Divorced

• You must have been married for 10 years or more
• You must be divorced for at least two years
• You must be unmarried
• You must be 62 or older
• Your ex-spouse must be eligible for benefits
• Benefits on your record must be less than the spousal benefit

No matter how long ago you were married, if it was for 10 years or more, you may qualify for spousal benefits. If you remarry, in most but not all cases, you will not be eligible. Death, divorce, or annulment may be exceptions.

If you have reached your Full Retirement Age (FRA), you will receive 50% of your ex-spouse’s payment amount. If you have not, your payment will be reduced as much as 25%. For example, if your ex-spouse’s payment is $2,000 per month, at FRA you will receive $1,000 per month. At 62 your monthly payment will be reduced to $750.

If you choose to apply early, the reduction in your payment amount is permanent. You’ll need to consider the timing carefully as your decision has life-long consequences.

The Social Security law was written in 1935, when most women didn’t work. Today, the majority of women have earned enough on their own record to qualify for Social Security benefits. In many cases, 100% of your own benefit will be higher than 50% of your ex-spouse’s. If that is the case, you will not be eligible for spousal support. You may be able to collect survivor benefits later on, if your ex-spouse’s benefit was higher than yours.

If you are not sure you qualify, call Social Security or visit a nearby office. Be certain and get what you are entitled to. You may really need those extra dollars later on in life.

To Qualify for Survivor Benefits When Divorced

• You must have been married for 10 years or more
• You must be at least 60 years old
• You must not remarry before the age of 60
• Your ex-spouse must have been eligible for benefits

You may have been married right out of high school and divorced for decades. It doesn’t matter. If you were married for 10 years or more you may still qualify for survivor benefits.

Social Security has an extensive database, but they may not have information on a marriage that occurred 30-40 years ago. Regardless of how much time has passed, it is worth investigating to see if you are entitled to a larger payment. You will need to have your marriage certificate and divorce decree as proof of your eligibility.

We all know that, in general, men earn more than women. Even if you haven’t seen your ex for 20 years, if he earned more than you, you may be entitled to a higher monthly payment. So, though you may qualify on your own work record, check to see if you can get an additional amount from your ex-spouse’s record.

You can apply for survivor benefits at age 60. Two years sooner than spousal benefits. But as with spousal support, if you apply before your FRA the amount of your payment will be reduced. If you begin collecting at age 60, your payment is automatically reduced 28.5%.

A quirky thing here is that Full Retirement Age for survivors is slightly different than for retirement. It may be earlier than you think, and it’s important to know so you don’t miss out on any payments.

With survivor benefits you can do what is called “Claim and Switch.” You can claim survivor benefits at age 60 and later switch to your own benefit. You would do this because you can collect on your ex’s record while benefits on your own account continue to increase (about 8% per year). If you wait until age 70, your own monthly payment amount will be at its maximum and may exceed the survivor benefit you are receiving. Social Security will pay you the higher of the two amounts.

If you remarry before the age of 60, you will forfeit benefits on your previous marriage. If you wait until after 60, you will be able to receive those payments indefinitely. Your new spouse can receive payments on his own record at the same time, if he qualifies.

Survivor benefits are complicated, and many factors are considered to determine your payment amount including the age of the worker at the time of death, the number of years worked, and the level of his contributions. It is recommended you contact the Social Security Administration for information based on your personal situation. You cannot determine survivor benefits alone.

It is important to note that both spousal support and survivor benefits are subject to the earnings test. If you work and receive SS payments, there is a penalty for earning more than $15,720 per year if you have not reached your FRA.

Spousal support and survivor benefits can be critical in determining your financial status and quality of life. Many women struggle financially in their later years. We can’t foresee the future. Therefore, it is paramount that you are receiving all that you are entitled to so that you can have as much as possible when you may need it most.

Do you feel like you are financially prepared for retirement? What questions about Social Security or retirement planning do you have? Please join the conversation.

Disclaimer: Everyone’s financial situation is unique, so please check with your financial professional before making any changes to your tax, retirement or investment strategies. None of the information in this article should be considered financial advice.

Jennifer Aydin’s Green Zebra Print Top on WWHL

Real Housewives of New Jersey 2021 Fashion

We are green with envy from Jennifer Aydin’s green zebra print top. Thankfully we no longer have to be because she shared allll the deets on where she got it. And if you’re not like Jennifer and do have a credit limit (such as myself) have no fear because this top is very much affordable and very much in stock. So hurry and get it while you can because we know all good things come to an end. Just like pool parties that involve tequila.

Sincerely Stylish,

Jess

Click Here To Shop Her Romwe Green Zebra Print Top

Get FULL Outfit Details on Jennifer’s IG Account

Photo + ID Credit: @jenniferaydin

Originally posted at: Jennifer Aydin’s Green Zebra Top on WWHL

Summer House Fashion: Season 5 Episode 7

On this week’s episode of Summer House there’s not only some very explosive information revealed by a psychic, but also some very cute lewks we predict you’ll love (i.e. Paige DeSorbo’s white satin outfit which she wants everyone to know is not a set, she put it together!). And if you’re waiting for us to reveal where everything is from, well then buckle up and get ready to have us give you a very important reading down below. 

*Additional looks will be added after the show airs*

Fashionably,

Faryn

Amanda Batula’s Denim Shorts

Click Here to Shop Her Urban Renewal Shorts

Note: The shorts are made from recycled vintage Levi jeans so each pair is one-of-a-kind!

Info: @AmandaBatula

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Paige DeSorbo’s White Satin Outfit

Click Here to Shop Her Intermix Shorts

Zara Top Sold Out

Left Photo & Info: @Paige_DeSorbo

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Amanda Batula’s Virginia Sweatshirt

Sweatshirt is a One-of-a-Kind Vintage Piece From DeadBrandWalkingLLC on Etsy. Click Here to Shop Other Products By Them

Note: All sales are final!

Info: @AmandaBatula

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Lindsay Hubbard’s Straw Hat

Click Here to See Her Sold Out Tommy Bahama Hat

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Lindsay Hubbard’s Neon Pink Phone Case

Click Here to Shop Her iDecoz Case

Click Here to Shop In-Stock Colours on Amazon

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Amanda Batula’s Rainbow Bikini

Click Here to Shop Her Triangl Bikini

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Originally posted at: Summer House Fashion: Season 5 Episode 7

If you grew up watching The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, you know the Sprouse twins have always been blonde. But like many of us, their hair darkened as they grew up to a light brown. Many years later and they’ve both switched it up. Cole Sprouse went dark for his role on Riverdale and now, Dylan Sprouse has blonde hair. This isn’t his pre-teen blonde. This is a platinum blonde that makes the 28-year-old look hotter than ever.

We first spotted the new color on his girlfriend Barbara Palvin’s Instagram on Wednesday. The couple took an adorable selfie in which you can really see Dylan’s hair. While doing a little digging, it seems he’s been rocking the blonde at least for a few weeks. Last week, he joined photographer Alex Hainer for a photoshoot at Alex Fine’s Almost Home gym in Los Angeles. Here his hair is giving me ’90s Zack Morris vibes in the best way possible.

Source: Instagram

It’s likely Dylan’s ‘do is for a part, just like his brother’s hair is. He’s playing golf in the photoshoot, though it’s a little more play in an indoor gym than IRL golf. “Golf is for nerds,” he captioned the photo. The thirst is real in the comments. Filmmaker Christian Coppola, who directed Dylan in Daddy, commented “Malfoy,” which we’re totally seeing. Most of the other comments are fire emojis, heart eyes and other displays of love because really, he does look great.

Even though platinum blonde isn’t easy to maintain (bleaching every 3-4 weeks!), we’re hoping he keeps it up for a little while. He’ll be twinning with Billie Eilish instead of Cole this time.

Most, if not all of us, have spent our lives up until this point juggling and trying to balance many of our life roles. Working, parenting, being a spouse, caring for parents, finding time for our friends are only a few.

Although many of us continue to juggle and balance various roles as we are older, we may find that we now have the ability to take some time to do things for ourselves. To practice self care. And now, more than ever, this is so important.

There are so many “must dos” but I’ve compiled a list of my top 5 here. They are in no particular order other than number one which is most important.

Work on the “Thing” You’ve Always Wanted to But Never Did

This could be anything from starting a business, writing your book, or participating in a 5K. Maybe you always wanted to do pet care. Find your passion and take the steps you need to take to make it happen. Tell your loved ones. Set small attainable goals and work towards them. Take a course or join an accountability group.

Many of us aren’t quite sure what it is that we want to do as we move forward, but we know we want to find that “thing.” I’ve created a workbook with free journal prompts to help you as you reflect on this. It is important to keep our minds busy. And it is most important to have a reason to pop out of bed each morning, excited to start the day.

Keep Learning

Maybe there’s a course that you want to take to help move you towards the “thing” you’ve always wanted to do. Or, perhaps you want to learn a new hobby.

Whatever it is, keep soaking up all the information you can. We are never too old to stop learning. Many of my readers who have redefined after 50, have gone back to college to get additional certifications or just to take a few classes. And not one of them has regretted it.

Take Time to Practice Being Still

One of my readers identified this as one of her goals and it is brilliant. And SO hard to do. Try to set aside time each day, even if it’s only 5 minutes, to just be still. Put your phone in another room, sit outside, and listen to the sounds of nature.

Pour yourself a cup of coffee and sit with your dog quietly without thinking about all of the things you need to be doing. Meditate. However you decide to do it, schedule time each day to practice being still.

Journal

You might “free write” – just let the thoughts flow and take pen to paper. Or, you might have a specific format that you use to journal each day. Either way, taking time to journal daily can help prepare you for the day or help you process the day, depending on when you do it.

Get Outside

Research is continuously showing the benefits of being outdoors. Putting our feet in the grass and dirt. Getting our hands dirty gardening. Breathing in the fresh air. And, most importantly, getting that all important vitamin D from the sunshine.

Get outside every day and do something active if you’re able to.

Many of us continue to balance many of life’s roles after 50. We are no good to our loved ones if we don’t take the time to care for ourselves.

What are some of your everyday self care habits? What is the thing that you’ve always wanted to do but haven’t done yet? Have you recorded your thoughts in a journal? Do you have a favorite outdoors activity?