Ask Larry

Divorced Widow(er) Benefits

What Should I Do?

My ex-husband died in 2011 he was divorced I left him and 1988 and he remarried and Social Security said I need a divorce decree and I tried everywhere is that he's been there said I'm still married for Social Security still said I need to get a divorce decree that's impossible when I don't know where he got married or if he got a divorce what should I I do

Posted: 
Wednesday, January 12, 2022 - 15:10

What's The Difference Between VA Survivor Benefits And Social Security Widow's Benefits?

What is the difference between VA survivor benefit and social security widow’s benefits? Can I collect both? My full retirement age is 67. Can I retire at 65 using my late ex husband social security? Will I be penalized?

Hi. My expertise is limited to Social Security benefits, so I can't answer any questions about VA benefits. What I can tell you is that if you receive VA benefits, it would have no adverse effect on any type of Social Security benefits for which you are eligible.

Posted: 
Friday, September 24, 2021 - 10:47

Is My Ex-Wife's Social Security Unavailable To Me Now Because She Died?

I'm 65 been disabled for years receiving SSI and social security early retirement when I turned 62 (I missed the filing 'date of last insured" for SSDI) I was self-employed most of my life and have a very low social security benefit. Was married over 30 years divorced for 2 in July was planning on filing for spousal benefits as my (ex)wife worked her whole life, but she just died a month before her 62nd birthday.
??? Is her social security not available to me now???
I understand that she may have been getting Medicare, she had ALS. (I didn't know she was sick.)

Posted: 
Friday, September 10, 2021 - 09:17

Do I Qualify For Benefits On My Deceased Ex-Spouse's Record?

My ex husband died a few months ago. We were married for fifteen years. He was deported and never collected his social,security. I did briefly remarry for three years. Do I qualify for spousal benefits?

Hi. If you're unmarried now or if your current marriage occurred after you reached age 60, then it sounds like you could potentially qualify for survivor benefits as early as age 60, or 50 if you're disabled. Your ex's deportation wouldn't affect your potential eligibility, assuming he was insured for Social Security benefits.

Posted: 
Thursday, July 22, 2021 - 13:27

Are My Calculations Correct?

Hello. Married for 15 years. Divorced in 2004. Ex-husband died in 2009 at age 54 without ever claiming benefits. Ex would have reached FRA in February 2022 (66, 2 months). I am retired. I'm thinking of applying for survivors benefits in February/March 2022. I will be 61, 5 months in February 2022 and 61, 6 months in March 2022. My understanding: My survivor benefit will be based on ex-husband's full PIA plus any COLAs with a reduction (21.8% if collect in February 2022 and 21.4% in March 2022).

Posted: 
Saturday, July 17, 2021 - 07:58

What Percentage Of Survivor Benefits Would I Receive If I Start Drawing At Age 65?

My ex passed I plan on retiring at age 65 instead of 66 1/2 what percentage of survivors benefit would I receive?

Hi. The exact percentage reduction for starting surviving divorced spousal benefits early varies depending on your year of birth. If your full retirement age (FRA) is 66 1/2 and if you start drawing those benefits 18 months early, the applicable reduction would amount to roughly 7%. Or, in other words, your benefit rate would likely amount to roughly 93% of your unreduced rate.

Posted: 
Saturday, July 10, 2021 - 11:59

Will I Automatically Start Getting Survivor Benefits If My Ex Dies?

I’m a retired school teacher with a $2,700 monthly state pension. At my full retirement SSA age of 66, I requested a spousal benefit from ex husbands account. I qualified for one but told it was $0 because of GPO.
Question. When my ex husband dies will I qualify for 100% of his PIA? With the 100% instead of 50%, the GPO should result in a benefit greater than $0.
Will I need to request the benefit or will it be paid automatically?

Posted: 
Thursday, July 8, 2021 - 15:15
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.