Modification of 10-year marriage rule in cases of domestic violence

(a) In general Section 216(d) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 416(d)) is amended by adding at the end the following: (9) (A) In the case of a divorced woman described in paragraph (1) or (2) or a divorced man described in paragraph (4) or (5) who provides to the Commissioner of Social Security a finding made by a court of law that the divorced woman or divorced man was the victim of domestic violence committed by the spouse during the course of the marriage, such paragraph as may be applicable with respect to such divorced woman or divorced man shall be applied for purposes of this title by substituting 5 years for 10 years. (B) For purposes of subparagraph (A), the term domestic violence has the meaning given such term in section 40002(a) of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994.. (b) Termination of wife’s insurance benefits Section 202(b) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 402(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following: (5) In the case of any divorced wife who provides to the Commissioner of Social Security a finding made by a court of law that the divorced wife was the victim of domestic violence (as defined in section 216(d)(9)(B)) committed by the spouse during the course of the marriage, clause (ii) of paragraph (1)(G) shall be applied by substituting 5 years for 10 years.. (c) Termination of husband’s insurance benefits Section 202(c) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 402(c)) is amended by adding at the end the following: (5) In the case of any divorced husband who provides to the Commissioner of Social Security a finding made by a court of law that the divorced husband was the victim of domestic violence (as defined in section 216(d)(9)(B)) committed by the spouse, clause (ii) of paragraph (1)(G) shall be applied by substituting 5 years for 10 years.. (d) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to monthly insurance benefits for months beginning at least 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act.