Hi Larry,

I am 58 years old and was married for 20 years. My ex-husband died at 47 and I know I am entitled to divorced widows benefits starting at 60. I have not remarried to keep my divorced widows benefits. I plan on starting the divorced widows benefits at age 60 and then switch over to my own retirement benefits at age 70. I plan on marrying my partner after age 60. He is a retired school teacher with a pension who has never paid into Social Security. He works part time and pays into Social security now, however, will once we marry his pension have any affect on my divorced widows benefits or my own retirement benefits at 70 because of the GOP of WEP. Also, if I take divorced widows benefits at age 60 by doing so will my own retirement benefits be reduced for starting the widows benefits early. Thank you for any assistance.

Hi,

No, your new husband's pension would not affect either your surviving divorced spousal benefits nor your own retirement benefits. And no, starting your survivor benefits at age 60 won't reduce the amount that you could receive on your own record at age 70.

You may want to strongly consider using our maximization software to be sure that you are choosing the best possible filing strategy.

Best, Jerry