Ex-Spouse Benefits And How They Affect You
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: February 15, 2018
Just like during tax season, it’s good to have all the information you need early so you can prepare and get any money you are due.
If you are age 62, unmarried, and divorced from someone entitled to Social Security retirement or disability benefits, you may be eligible to receive benefits based on his or her record. To be eligible, you must have been married to your ex-spouse for 10 years or more. If you have since remarried, you can’t collect benefits on your former spouse’s record unless your later marriage ended by annulment, divorce, or death. Also, if you’re entitled to benefits on your own record, your benefit amount must be less than you would receive based on your ex-spouse’s work. In other words, we’ll pay the higher of the two benefits for which you’re eligible, but not both.
You can apply for benefits on your former spouse’s record even if he or she hasn’t retired, as long as you divorced at least two years before applying. If, however, you decide to wait until full retirement age to apply as a divorced spouse, your benefit will be equal to half of your ex-spouse’s full retirement amount or disability benefit. The same rules apply for a deceased former spouse.
The amount of benefits you get has no effect on the benefits of your ex-spouse and his or her current spouse. Visit Retirement Planner: If You Are Divorced to find all the eligibility requirements you must meet to apply as a divorced spouse. Our benefits planner gives you an idea of your monthly benefit amount. If your ex-spouse died after you divorced, you may still quality for widow’s benefits. You’ll find information about that in a note at the bottom of the website.
Visit Retirement Planner: If You Are Divorced today to learn whether you’re eligible for benefits on your ex-spouse’s record. That could mean a considerable amount of monthly income. What you learn may bring a smile to your face … even on tax day!
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About the Author
Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Comments
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Santiago V.
Widowed in1997, unmarried and want to know what survivor benefits I am entitled to. Present age: 85.
R.F.
Please call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 and speak to one of our agents. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Or contact your local Social Security office directly. Thanks!
Sergio V.
Dear Social Security Administration.
I did an amendment on my name, what I can do to have my new card with the changes?
Thank you.
R.F.
Thank you for your question, Sergio. Please see our Frequently Asked Questions web page for complete information on this topic.
Olivia b.
I am receiving widower benefits now. I applied when I was 62. I am now 70. Can I receive my own benefits if they are more than his?
R.F.
Thank you for your question, Olivia. You can request that we review your records. To see if you’re eligible for a higher benefit amount you will need to speak to one of our agents. Please call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Generally, you will have a shorter wait time if you call later during the day or later in the week. Thanks!
Thomas F.
checking on benefits from Xhusband…
Social Security # *** – ** – ***
Spousal Benefits…
R.F.
Unfortunately, and because of security reasons we do not have access to personal records in this blog. Please call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Generally, you will have a shorter wait time if you call later in the week.
Please be cautious about posting personal information on social media. Thanks!
Kathy D.
Thank you, Jim. I have been on the phone with Social Security for two hours today going crazy because they are claiming I can take my own benefits at age 62, but if my ex-spouse dies anytime after that I can switch to 81% or more of his benefits, which would be more – yet NOTHING on their entire website says that. Are ex-spouses really allowed to switch later to an ex-spouse’s benefits after taking their own SS benefits? The woman on the phone there couldn’t find it on their site either. I asked where she learned that information and if she could send it to me in writing, and she said she didn’t know. It makes a big difference in my retirement planning to know if this is true or not. Grateful for any help you can give me, Kathy
R.F.
Hi Kathy. The earliest age you can apply for reduced retirement benefits is 62. However, if a person begins to receive benefits at age 62 or prior to their full retirement age, their benefits are reduced. The reduction factors are permanently applied to all of the benefits the person may qualify for.
You may still be eligible to collect a higher benefit as a “Surviving Divorced Spouse” if your ex-spouse passes away.
If you are the divorced spouse of a worker who dies, you could get benefits just the same as a widow or widower, provided that your marriage lasted 10 years or more. Survivors benefits are paid at a higher rate.
In many cases, a surviving divorced spouse/widow can begin receiving one benefit at a reduced rate (as early as 60 years old) and then, at full retirement age, switch to the other benefit at an unreduced rate. See our Survivors Planner: How Much Would Your Benefit Be? for more information.
We hope this helps!
Stephanie m.
My first husband married in1975 divorced 1982 he receives befits can I draw his benifts disability both of us 62
Barbara M.
How do I contact you about this? I’m living outside the US, so your toll-free number doesn’t work. You won’t do business by email because of confidentiality issues. Please tell me how to contact you. Thanks.
Cheryl B.
My Precious Husband passed away Feb 13….I am 56 and have a son who is disabled due to stroke….my dear husband drew 1575 and they took for Medicare part a and b- which lowered what he was drawing….I.was also his caregiver and my sons…..how so I calculate what I will draw….His name was Jerry W Bowen….I.have the letter sent to y’all from Senters funeral home in Fulton MS..heey
Juanita F.
I have been trying to get my deceased husbands social security for over a year now
We were together 34 yrs I have sent paper in from 2 of his kid’s an from my sister We were common law I haven’t heard a thing from s.s.since I found out injure I was turned down and I appealed it in July of2o17 I’m just trying to survive as my ss is 500.00 a mo can’t live on that.he passed away nov.17 2016 . 9
theresa c.
So HORRIFIED for me as since yesterday tried to reach
SSI by phone – waited n waited for hours FINALLY hv no
choice but to hang up.
All I want to find out is HERE IS MY SPOUSE BENEFIT
check? He passed away 1/21/18 and the Mortuary notified you and stated that I shud recv a final ck !!! How
long do I hv to wait? Awaiting yr kind reply.
R.F.
We are sorry for your loss, Theresa. Usually, the funeral director notifies us of an individual’s passing by contacting the local Social Security office. However, you may have to contacts us directly to see if you qualify for a higher benefit as a widow.
You cannot report a death or apply for survivors’ benefits online.
To verify that your spouse’s information was reported, and to see if you qualify for a higher benefit, you may need to talk to one of our representatives. When calling our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213, you may experience a shorter wait time if you call later during the day. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Or contact your local Social Security office.