Ex-Spouse Benefits and You
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: March 28, 2022
No doubt about it — thinking of an ex-spouse can be emotional. And, if your finances have changed for the worse since the breakup, even more emotions can surface.
We have news that may relieve some of your stress.
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 their record.
There are other rules, of course. You must have been married to your ex-spouse for 10 years or more. If you’ve 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 they have not retired, as long as you have been divorced at least two years before applying.
After you reach full retirement age, you can elect to receive only the divorced spouse benefits and delay benefits on your own record, which may mean a higher monthly amount for you.
If you were born before January 2, 1954 and reach full retirement age, you can elect to receive only the divorced spouse benefits and delay benefits on your own record. This may mean a higher monthly amount for you.
The same rules apply for a deceased former spouse. The amount of benefits you get has no effect on the benefits your ex-spouse or their current spouse receives. If your ex-spouse died after you divorced, you can still qualify for widow’s benefits.
Our Benefits Planner gives you an idea of your monthly benefit amount. If your ex-spouse died after you divorced, you can still qualify for widow’s benefits. Visit Retirement Planner: If You Are Divorced to find all the eligibility requirements you must meet to apply as a divorced spouse.
We hope this news adds some joy to the range of emotions you feel when thinking of your “Ex”!
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Tags: Disability, full retirement age, General Information, retirement, social security disability benefits, survivors benefits
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Doug Walker, Deputy Commissioner, Communications
Deputy Commissioner, Office of Communications
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Melre A.
I am a widow now for 1-1/2 yrs. my ex husband which I was married to for 10 1/2 years is now retired. He said I could draw off of his SS because he had a greater income than of second husband of 26 years. So can I draw form ex spouse for greater income to me? Thank you for your help
V.V.
Hi Melre, thank you for your question. If you are divorced and currently unmarried, you may be able to receive benefits on your ex-spouse’s record if your marriage lasted 10 years or longer. For eligibility details, check out the Retirement Planner: If You’re Divorced.
For your security, we do not have access to your information in this venue. To inquire about potential benefits on your ex-spouse’s record, call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
Lizzy D.
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Lizzy D.
A reliable spell caster that helped me restore my marriage you can contact him via his email (pristbacasim2000@gmail.com)
Brenda S.
We was married 15 years. Divorced in 1981We had 4 children. He remarried but she’s deceased.
Brenda G.
How do I apply for my dead x husband’s beniifits?
V.V.
Hi Brenda. If you are the divorced spouse of a worker who died and you are not married, you could get benefits just the same as a widow or widower. For more information, please visit our Surviving Divorced Spouse webpage. We hope this helps!
Lizzy D.
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Paul M.
How to receive death benefits from my wife’s ss
V.V.
Hi Paul, thank you for your question. Your widower’s amount would be based on your wife’s earnings. The more she paid into Social Security, the higher your benefit will be. The percentage of her benefit amount that you would receive depends on how old you are when you file as a widower.
Widowers benefits are payable as early as age 60 (for a reduced benefit) or a full widowers benefit at full retirement age or older.
Use our Survivors Planner to look at how your family members are protected if you die.
Lizzy D.
A reliable spell caster that helped me restore my marriage (pristbacasim2000@gmail.com)
Christine E.
If I am on ssi but am not the age of 65 yet but been disable for 20 years and ex husband is still alive and was married for more then 10 years how come I can’t get his benefits now instead of ssi
V.V.
Hi Christine, thanks for using our blog to ask your question. If you are divorced, currently unmarried and are age 62 or older, you may be able to receive benefits on your ex-spouse’s record if your marriage lasted 10 years or longer. See our Retirement Planner: If You’re Divorced for other eligibility requirements and more detailed information.
To inquire on eligibility, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213 or you can contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
Melissa B.
How do I find out if my ex husband used my socail security number to file a tax return