Social Security, Spousal Top-Ups, and Divorce – Oh My!

In this episode, Mardi Winder sits down with Marcia Mantell to talk about one of the most important and often overlooked parts of life after divorce. your financial future. Marcia brings years of experience helping women understand retirement planning, Social Security, and how to rebuild confidence around money, especially when a divorce changes everything you thought your future would look like.Together, Mardi and Marcia talk about why so many women feel uncertain when it comes to long-term planning and how divorce can leave you feeling like you are starting over. Marcia explains in clear, practical language what women often miss when they are focused on simply getting through the legal settlement and why it matters to look further ahead. She also explains the Social Security formula and how the system offers an option for women or men who have spent years out of the workforce due to children or other issues. Together, they explore how to ask better questions, how to work with financial professionals, and how to step into money conversations with more clarity instead of fear or doubt. Marcia also shares insight into the unique challenges of divorce later in life and what women need to know about Social Security timing, benefits, and creating a sustainable plan for the years ahead. Throughout the conversation, listeners are reminded that it is never too late to get informed, make empowered decisions, and build a future they feel secure in.This episode is both reassuring and practical, offering thoughtful guidance for anyone who wants to feel more confident, prepared, and at peace about what comes next financially after divorce.About the Guest:Marcia Mantell is the founder of her own small business, Mantell Retirement Consulting, which is celebrating 20 years this year. Marcia is known for taking the complicated retirement, Social Security, and Medicare rules and translating them into language we can all better understand. And she’s the author of 4 retirement books, a long-time blogger, a media columnist, and a podcast guest. Whether writing about or talking about retirement, she takes the opportunity to share as many helpful tips and tricks as possible. It’s all about making a successful transition into retirement.To connect with Marcia and access her complimentary resources: https://boomerretirementbriefs.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marciamantell/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=boomer%20retirement%20briefsAbout the Host: Mardi Winder is an ICF and BCC Executive and Leadership Coach, Certified Divorce Transition Coach, Certified Divorce Specialist (CDS®) and a Credentialed Distinguished Mediator in Texas. She has worked with women in executive, entrepreneur, and leadership roles, navigating personal, life, and professional transitions. She is the founder of Positive Communication Systems, LLC, and host of Real Divorce Talks, a quarterly series designed to provide education and inspiration to women at all stages of divorce. Are you interested in learning more about your divorce priorities? Take the quiz "The Divorce Stress Test".Connect with Mardi on Social Media:Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Divorcecoach4womenLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mardiwinderadams/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divorcecoach4women/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@divorcecoach4womenThanks for Listening!Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.Do you have feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!Subscribe to the PodcastIf you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.Leave us an Apple Podcast ReviewRatings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.