a friend of mine who is 61 years old was married for 25 years and a did not work much during her life but raised 5 children and was a stay at home mom. Now she is divorced from that man. She remarried at age 54 but that marriage ended after 5 or 6 years. Does she qualify for any type of SS benefit at all once she turns 62? She never had a career and does not get alimony and finds herself in dire straights right now. thanks in advance, pc

Hi PC,

Assuming that her first husband is living then it sounds like your friend could potentially qualify for divorced spousal benefits on his record as early as age 62. But, her benefit rate will be reduced for age if she starts drawing the benefits before her full retirement age (FRA). Also, her ex-husband would either have to be at least age 62 or drawing his benefits in order for your friend to qualify.

If your friend's first husband is deceased then she could potentially qualify for survivor benefits now, but again her benefit rate would be reduced for age if she started drawing benefits prior to FRA.

Your friend would need 40 quarters of Social Security coverage or the equivalent of 10 years of covered work in order to potentially qualify for benefits on her own record.

Best, Jerry