Larry, I was married for 30 years and divorced in 2009. My husband always made more money than me during our marriage. After recently contacting the social security office, I was told I can't take any spousal benefits at my FRA from his record. He was born on 3/1/54 and I was born on 5/19/55. Is that correct?

Hi Larry. My (at that time) wife began taking SS when she turned 62 (nearly four years ago). Nearly two years ago we divorced. In a couple of months I'll hit my Full Retirement Age, but plan to continue working. She plans to apply for the Divorced Spousal Benefit when I hit my FRA (and we will have been divorced for two years at that point). Wiill she be entitled to the full 50% of my benefit? Or, because she filed for her own benefit early - before her FRA - will the DSB be reduced? (I cannot find a solid explanation for this!

Hi Larry
I was married twice and each lasted longer than 10 years. I am now at my full retirement age of 66 and ready to claim spousal benefits. May I claim from both husband and ex-husband?

Hi,

You can't qualify for divorced spousal benefits on the record of a living ex-spouse if you are currently married. If you're unmarried and you are potentially eligible for divorced spousal benefits on the records of 2 or more different ex-spouses, you could only be paid the highest of the benefit rates.

Best, Jerry

Hello Larry,
My goal is to file and collect spousal 50% of my ex wife’s Social Security.
• I turn 66 in October and my ex-wife turns 62 in early October.
• I have not signed up for my Social Security and my goal is not to personally file until my 70th birthday.
• We were married 20 years and now divorced about 20 years.
• My ex has been on Social Security Disability for about six years. She believes she will be on disability for the rest of her life.

I am now collecting as under my rates. Can I now apply for benefits under my ex's benefits or am I too late?

Hi,

You can always file an application for Social Security benefits, but if you're already drawing your own Social Security benefits and your ex-spouse is still living you could only be paid divorced spousal benefits if your ex-spouse's primary insurance amount (PIA) is more than twice as much as your PIA. A person's PIA is equal to their Social Security retirement benefit rate if they start drawing at full retirement age (FRA).

I divorced my husband of 30+ years in 2018. He lost his job in 2019 and then became disabled at age 60 and has applied for SS disability benefits. I am age 60 and work full time. Am I entitled to any benefits as his ex when his disability is approved? When he attains 65, 67?
Thank you

Hi,

I was married for 17 years. My ex husband worked at his trade for 35-40 years. He started collecting SS disability at around 62, I had to file for SS disability myself recently at 57. I understand normally on SS I would have been able to eventually draw from his benefits, being that the benefit most likely would’ve been higher for me. Does that all change when either one of us files for SS disabiliity and not straight Social Security?

Hi,

So, I was married for 20 years and have been divorced for 3 years. I am 60.5 years old. My ex is 55 and will not be retiring soon. I was told even if he remarries, which he is planning to do since ge just got engaged, that I can still recieve 1/2 of his benefits. Is this true, and when would I need to wait till. I know if I wanted to start at 62 years ut would be less, but the money would really help me. What if I plan to remarry before 62. Any advice?

Hi,

Will soon be 66, I was born prior to Jan. 2, 1954 and haven't started receiving any benefits yet. If applying for divorced spousal benefits, (1/2 of ex's PIA) and want to wait and then at 70 start receiving my benefits. Does it matter if my PIA at 66 is larger than the divorced spousal benefit? Just want to do what is best and will help me out financially in the long run. Ex is 70+. Divorced for 20+, never remarried. Thanks for your knowledge. Have a good weekend.

Hi,

Getting ready to apply for social security this year @ 66 and want to know if can apply for ex's (married 10 +) portion (1/2 of his), he is 7 yrs older, and let then apply for mine at 70. How to find out if his is higher, or does this impact my situation? Thank you in advance for your time.

Hi,