Topic

Divorced Spouse Benefits

2 articles

Divorce and Retirement Accounts: QDROs, IRAs and Social Security Rules

Retirement savings are often among the largest assets divided in a divorce, and the rules differ by account type. This explainer covers how 401(k)s, pensions and IRAs are split, what a QDRO does, how taxes and penalties apply, and when an ex-spouse can claim Social Security benefits.

October 22, 2026 7 min read

Retirement

Spousal and Survivor Social Security Benefits: How They Work for Couples

Social Security pays more than a worker's own retirement benefit. Spouses, ex-spouses and widows or widowers can claim on a partner's record, and the timing choices of the higher earner shape those payments for decades. This guide explains the rules, the math and the scenarios.

October 19, 2026 6 min read