Ask Larry

What If Anything Can I Do?

I am 73...I was married to a man 12 yrs younger for 10. yrs...we divorced...he remarried and I remarried. My spouse passed after just two yrs. I have since remarried for nine years again to a man who will be 62 in a yr.. I have been collecting my own soc. Sec. since I was 63. Now what if anything do I do.

Hi,

You couldn't qualify for divorced spousal benefits the record of the first spouse you mention if he's still living and you're currently married. Since your current marriage apparently occurred after you reached age 60, though, you could file for widow's benefits on the record of the second husband you mention. However, you'll only qualify for widow's benefits if your widow's rate would be higher than your own benefit rate.

You could also eventually file for spousal benefits on your current husband's record, but not until he files for his benefits. And, you could only qualify for spousal benefits if 50% of his primary insurance amount (PIA) is higher than your own PIA. A person's PIA is equal to their Social Security retirement benefit rate if they start drawing their benefits at full retirement age (FRA).

You and your husband may want to strongly consider using our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) to fully analyze the options available to you in order to determine your best strategy for maximizing benefits.

Best, Jerry

Category: 
Posted: 
Aug 5 2020 - 9:09am
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