SOCIAL SECURITY RETIREMENT BENEFITS The Last Insult of a Sexist Society

An older, divorcing couple rarely has assets worth more than their Social Security rights. After a house and pension/retirement plans, Social Security is their largest "asset." Yet, it is rarely considered by lawyers, mediators, or the parties themselves. A key point, often missed, is that the working spouse receives twice as much Social Security as the nonworking spouse. For many retiring women, getting half as much Social Security as their ex-husbands is just one more insult from a sexist society. Although a nonworking husband will get the same half, the problem is largely one affecting older women, who earned less on average while they worked and who usually took time off to be with the children while the children were growing up. This article looks at Social Security regulations that make this so and how to avoid this unjust result.