Ask Larry

Divorced Spousal Benefits

Can I Check To See If My Ex-Spouse's SS Is Better Than Mine?

I have not yet applied for SS, but I am at full age to do it. I may wait. My ex-spouse (married over 10 years) gets ONLY a government pension that he's collecting, even though he has worked jobs that he paid into SS. In my divorce settlement I was awarded a certain percentage of that pension that I have been getting for years and will continue to get. My question is, can I check if his SS is better than mine so I can make a better decision when I apply? Does the pension I get (awarded) from him have anything to do with my eligibility for my SS?

Posted: 
Tuesday, March 14, 2023 - 06:39

Which Of What I Was Told By Social Security Is Correct?

I was told on a previous call with ssi that I would qualify for divorced spousal benefits because my spouse's benefits would be greater than mine. A telephone appointment to sign up was made. A very rude employee told me on that call that I did not qualify and never would because my benefit would not be less than 50% of my spouses. I have read the entire publication on divorced spousal benefits and nowhere did I read that you would only qualify if your benefit was less than half of your spouse’s, only that it needed to be less than the ex-spouses benefit. Which is true?

Posted: 
Monday, March 13, 2023 - 07:44

Will I Still Receive Half Of My Ex-Husband's Full Amount If I Apply Before He Reaches His Full Retirement Age?

I'm divorced after being married for more than ten years. I plan on filing for social security spousal benefits because my own benefit would be less than half of my former spouse's. But if I file at 67 (my age to qualify for full benefits) my former spouse will only be 65. Would I still receive half of his full social security amount, or would it be reduced because he hasn't reached full retirement age? Should I wait until I'm 69 and he is 67? Thank you!

Posted: 
Wednesday, February 22, 2023 - 15:10

Would It Be Financially Advantageous To Delay Getting Married?

I am 65yr old and have not claimed SS yet. Significant other is 59 with a short work history and a PIA less than half mine. She has an ex spouse from a greater than 10 year marriage, with a suspected higher PIA than mine. Are there financial advantages for her in waiting until after she turns 60 to remarry, or to remarry at all?. She suspects with her ex's lifestyle and habits, his demise will predate mine. His age is 61.
Thanks. Very confused

Posted: 
Monday, February 13, 2023 - 18:14

Will My Ex-Wife Be Able To Qualify For Social Security Based On My Social Security Contributions?

I am writing on behalf of my former spouse, with respect to any benefits from my social security for which she may eventually qualify. I am an active duty service member, 57 years old,, who will retire in 2025 after 30 years of service and at the age of 60; I have also saved in my TSP and Roth IRA. As such, I intend to take my social security at age 70 My former spouse (currently 54) however, has little in the way of savings. She will have a small teacher pension form Texas, and will get little from social security as she worked in education most of her working years.

Posted: 
Friday, February 3, 2023 - 16:35

Am I Entitled To Continue Drawing Benefits On My Ex-Spouse's Record, Or Not?

Hi. My husband and I were married 3 years and 7 months. I am 68 and he was 64 when he signed up for SS. I have been on SSDI for 18 years and SS for 3 years In December of 2022 he applied for SS when he turned 64 and I was giving a spousal benifit of 350 dollars. We recently divorced in January exactly one year after he signed up. When I received my divorce degree, I took it straight to the ss ofice and was told I would continue to draw the spousal benifit I am receiving. The worker said that because I was already drawing SS when he signed up that I could continure to draw.

Posted: 
Wednesday, February 1, 2023 - 13:38

Will My German Pension Be Deducted From My Divorced Spouse Pension From The U.S.?

Hi,
I expect to get a divorced spouse pension of about 1000 from US social security. I was married in the US for more than 10 years, I did not work much while I was there. I have been back in Germany since 2008 and I am not newly married. I have dual citizenship and worked in Germany so I expect a German pension around 400 euros. Will this be deducted from the US benefit or can I get my German pension in addition to the expected divorced spouse pension?
Thankyou for yor answer!

Posted: 
Thursday, January 19, 2023 - 09:51
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.