Ask Larry

Can I Get Benefits From My First Husband's Record If I Remarried And Then Got Divorced?

hi Larry.i was married to my first husband for 16 years.we divorce.he remarry,still is.i also remarry but devoice my second husband.my first ex is getting his retirement.am i entitled to anything from my first ex.thank you

Hi,

It sounds like you might be able to qualify for divorced spousal benefits, but you'd need to be at least age 62 to potentially qualify (https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/handbook/handbook.03/handbook-0311.html). Also, if you were born after January 1 1954 you couldn't qualify for divorced spousal benefits without also filing for your own Social Security retirement benefits, and you could only be paid basically the higher of those two benefit rates. Furthermore, your benefit rate would be reduced for age if you start drawing prior to your full retirement age (FRA).

You may want to consider using our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) to explore and compare your options so that you can determine your best strategy for claiming Social Security benefits.

Best, Jerry

Posted: 
Oct 19 2019 - 2:35pm
MaxiFi software running on a laptop
Get What's Yours!
Discover tens of thousands in extra retirement dollars with Maximize My Social Security software!
  • Find your maximized strategy
  • Unlimited what-ifs
  • Step-by-Step filing instructions
  • Our software's lifetime-benefit increase for an illustrative couple earning $65K each and planning to take retirement benefits at 62.

    Results will differ based on your specific case and filing strategy.

Getting Started is Easy
Web-based software. Works on ALL browsers. No download.