My ex and I were married for 22 years, and divorced we 10 years ago; I am 64 and he is 63. While I never remarried, he did so at age 62. Is he eligible to receive divorced spousal benefits on my record? I'm not sure he knows about this benefit, and I want to inform him if he is eligible. I intend to file a restricted application for my divorced spousal benefits at my FRA.

Lissa,
He is not eligible for divorced spouse's benefits since he is remarried.
Best,
Mike

My ex's AIME should rise markedly over the next decade or two. Would that be a reason to delay claiming my divorced spouse benefits? Once I've begun claiming, will my benefits rise if his PIA rises further? Does the answer change if I outlive him, and switch to survivor's benefits? While his current highest-earning 35 years include decades with no or low earnings, he recently began earning over $200K and probably will for another 15-20 years. I'll likely retire before him, as he's younger and has a new family to support.

My husband and I were in a "common-law marriage for 24 years before we were married by the JP. We have been married for a total of 28yrs. We recently filed for divorce which was granted in January. Since he is only 55 but declared disabled due to elective surgery he is collecting disability retirement. I have since turned 62 and become eligible for retirement social security. My question is, do I get credit for the years of common-law marriage and can I collect spousal benefits in addition to my social security since we were in a committed relationship for 28yrs?

Larry,

I'm 67, female and had to take social security age 62 as I was unemployed and divorced after 23 year marriage. My ex spouse is 3 years younger, age 64 , male. He is single. My question after visiting social security in April is can I ask my divorced spouse to apply and suspend so that I may be entitled to a portion of his higher earnings record now?

Yours, Carol

Married for 17 years, divorced for 4. I am 50, he is 59. He makes 4x what I do - is there a way I can find out how much I will be getting without knowing what his SS benefit amounts are? Is there a way I can find that out? Am i correct that I have to choose using either his SS or mine?

Two spouses were married ten years and both have long work histories. If they divorce, can both of them collect a divorced spouse benefit from the FRA until age 70? I believe this could add up to more than $50,000 each! And the couple would also get the advantage of single (or possibly single head-of-household) tax status.

Does your software calculate the benefit of divorce?

My ex-husband whom I was married to for 11 years has some kind of a lean on his SS payments where they take almost half. He told me he would be in his 80's before it was taken off his payments. If I were to apply for his benefits instead of mine or my current spouse would I have that lean on it too until it's paid off? His initial benefits were much more than mine.

Hi,

I am 58 and divorced to a man I was married to for 22 years. He is 57.
Can I start drawing on his social security when he becomes eligible?

Martha,
You can collect a divorced spouse's benefit any time after your Ex-husband turns 62, you don't have to wait until he files for his retirement benefit.
However, if you start your divorced spouse's benefit before your full retirement age, then it will be reduced.
Best,
Mike

I am soon to be divorced after 36 years please advise what divorce spousal requirements are? I've read on SSA.gov that when I retire they use my retirement foremost in first but I can draw upon ex spouse to add to mine is this correct? Also when getting divorced do I have to tell the future ex in a divorce decree what year I plan on retiring and how much I am going to take from his Social security? Thanks, Cynthia

I'm 59, unemployed and left an abusive marriage. I have no retirement. Is there any type of financial help for someone like me? Thank you Sue