My dob is 10/21/46. In 1980, I married Nick who died in 1985 at the age of 35. In 1990, I married Dan, dob 8/10/54 (8 yrs. younger than I). We divorced in 2012. Since my divorce, I have been collecting SS benefits on the work record of Nick, my deceased first husband. Next month, on 8/10/16, Dan, my divorced husband, who was a higher wage earner than me, will turn 62. My understanding is that I can then start collecting on his earnings record, if it is a larger sum than I am presently collecting on Nick's work record.

On 10/21/16, I will turn 70 and expect to start collecting benefits on my own work record, assuming that 100% of my own benefit amount will be greater than 50% of the benefits I could collect on Dan's work record.

Have I got this right? It is very confusing. Please can I have your advice on how to proceed to maximize my SS benefits?

Christina,
Yes, you can collect your divorced spouse's benefit when Dan turns 62 if it is larger than your widow's benefit from Nick. And yes, you can collect your increased retirement benefit off of your record at age 70 if it's larger than your divorced spouse's benefit. This filing strategy will maximize your lifetime Social Security benefits.
Best,
Mike