Yesterday I wrote about how divorce can affect Social Security. Click here to read that post. That post also relates to the ability to collect Social Security if your spouse passed away even though not directly discussed. Last night I was at dinner talking with my wife about Social Security and it hit me that while same-sex marriage is legal now, many, many, many same-sex couples have been in long standing committed relationships for years. These couples could not marry until 2015 after the Obergefell decision came down. So what options do these couples have to ensure they get the Social Security they are entitled to as any other married couple is?
People do not typically think about divorce when they get married. People also do not usually think their spouse is going to die. The reality is that divorce happens. Death happens. To protect your rights consider filing the Declaration of Informal Marriage if it applies to you.