Ask Larry

When I Turn 62 Can I Receive Divorced Spousal Benefits And Then Collect My Own Benefits At Age 70?

I am 55 years old and divorced and have not remarried. I was married for to my ex-wife for 12 years. She is 5 years older than me. I make significantly more than her and have maximized my Social Security amounts. When I turn 62 is it possible for me to file and receive spousal benefits and then collect under my own when I turn 70?

Hi,

No. Since you were born after January 1 1954 you could never file just for spousal benefits without filing for your own Social Security retirement benefits at the same time (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/deemedfaq.html). It sounds like the only way that you could potentially collect Social Security benefits on your ex-wife's account would be is she dies before you file for your benefits. In that case you could potentially claim surviving divorced spousal benefits as early as age 60 and wait until age 70 to claim your own Social Security retirement benefits.

Best, Jerry

Category: 
Posted: 
Oct 12 2019 - 5:11pm
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