I am 58 yrs old and I am on SSD. My ex-husband is 70 and planning on retiring from the State Patrol this year. He is on the top tier maxed out on his earnings at the State Patrol. We were married for 17 years before we got a divorce in 2000. I have not remarried since. Can I receive a part of his Social Security Retirement now to increase my SSD benefits or do I have to wait till I am 62. Thank you

Hi,

You can't get divorced spousal benefits on the record of a living ex-spouse prior to age 62 on the basis of a disability. And, you'll only be eligible for additional divorced spousal benefits in the future if your own disability benefit rate is less than half of your ex-husband's full retirement age benefit rate. If you are eligible for divorced spousal benefits and decide to start drawing them at age 62 as opposed to your full retirement age, the benefit rate will be reduced by about 33%.

Best, Jerry