Get Paid to Delay Your Divorce a Little Longer

There’s never a great time to get divorced, but there are a few times that are particularly not great. One is right before your tenth anniversary.

The reason? Social Security benefits. Social Security’s rules entitle you to your ex-spouse’s benefits if you were married more than 10 years. Collecting on your ex’s benefits doesn’t affect their (or their new spouse’s) ability to collect benefits, so tagging along shouldn’t create any bad blood. And while there are a few other requirements before you collect on your ex’s benefits–you need to be at least 62, unmarried, and the benefits need to be more than you would have received based on your own work–it usually makes sense to delay finalizing a divorce a few months to leave this door open.

So if you’ve been married for nine years or so and don’t think you can stand another day with your spouse–think again, particularly if they’ve made more money than you. It might be worth it in the long run.