Dear Larry,

Could you clarify how the 10 year marriage rule to be eligible for ex-spousal benefits is determined by Social Security:
1. From date of marriage to date of final divorce. OR
2. Year of marriage to Year of final divorce.

Thank you for your help.

Hi,

I was racking up huge debt for medical care, prior to becoming disabled and just recently getting SSD and SSI. I had recently divorced my spouse of 12 years. I made substantially less during my work life than he made. I was in the 15g range, he, 100g and up. I am age 61 and he is 67. He has begun to get his SS and has a pension and I have only my SSD and SSI. We have discussed remarrying of late but do not know the best way to plan a financial future. He is also a Vietnam veteran.
I hope this isn't too complicated to answer. Thank you for your time. Rebecca

I was married for 18 years (divorced now for 20). Never remarried. My ex is 68 and has been collecting his SS. I turn 60 in September 2016. My understanding is I missed the cutoff for being allowed to collect my 50% of my ex-husbands social security. Is that correct? In order for me to collect that 50% I would need to have been born before 1954?

Thanks for your response.

Hi,

I will be 62 in April and divorced. I was married to my ex-husband for over 20 years. I don't know when he plans to retire -- what I do know is that he's made substantially more than I have in the years we were married and after. Can I begin collecting (my spousal benefit) on his social security if he hasn't retired?
Thanks,
Jane

Hi Jane,

Dear Larry,

I am 63 in August. Divorce was final March 22,2016. I am able to collect off my ex after March 22, 2018. I will be 64 1/2. That would be about $1300.00 per month. Then when I turn 66 I plan to collect my own, that would be $1558.00 per month.
I receive $2000.00 per month in alimony. What are the social security tax ramifications and or percentage of SSI that would be taxed?

Thank you, Lisa

Dear Lisa,

Hi, I am 63 and my ex is 65. Do I have to wait until I am 66 to get my spousal benefit? We were married 16 years, and have been divorced for 17. Thanks, Beverly

Do I have to be at full retirement age of 66 to receive 50% of ex-husband (I was married 20 yrs) ssecurity retirement?
He started collecting early at 62 does that mean I don't get 50% cuz he collected early?
Please advise..... Thanks

Hi,

My husband (67) and I (62 in 3/17) have both worked and are both entitled to social security on our own. My husband has not yet filed. We were both married to our ex-spouses for over 10 years and both ex-spouses are already at full retirement age, although neither has yet filed. If we both file in March 2017 for divorced spousal benefits, does this preclude use from filing for our own benefits when we turn 70, respectively?

Can I collect spousal benefits at 65 from ex-husband (was married for 20 yrs.)? Im not re-married. Hes not re-married. He is already collecting SSecurity. He started collecting at 62. Can I collect half of what hes getting now or not cuz he collected early?

Hi,

It sounds like you'd be potentially eligible for divorced spousal benefits, but please refer to this page on Social Security's website for more information: https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/divspouse.html.

I was married to my x-wife for fourteen years. I am currently 65 and have been on social security when I turned 6
Am I allowed to claim part my x-wife social security she was she her birthday was 3/31/ 1952.
What is the correct answer?

Dennis

Hi Dennis,

Some of your question got cut off, so I'll assume that you're currently receiving reduced retirement benefits on your own record and that your ex-wife is still living.