Spousal Social Security benefits can be complex, but understanding them can help maximize your retirement income.

I was married for 27 years to my first husband before divorcing. I married someone else from 2002 to 2005 and divorced. I was still working and started collecting half of my first husband’s benefit at age 66 in 2014.

Spousal benefits allow you to claim up to 50% of your spouse's Social Security benefit. Divorce doesn't prevent you from claiming spousal benefits, provided you were married long enough and are currently single.