Ask Larry

Can I Collect Divorced Spoual Benefits?

Can I collect spousal benefits at 65 from ex-husband (was married for 20 yrs.)? Im not re-married. Hes not re-married. He is already collecting SSecurity. He started collecting at 62. Can I collect half of what hes getting now or not cuz he collected early?

Hi,

It sounds like you'd be potentially eligible for divorced spousal benefits, but please refer to this page on Social Security's website for more information: https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/divspouse.html.

If you file for divorced spousal benefits prior to full retirement age, or at any age if you were born after January 1st 1954, you'll be deemed to also be applying for benefits on your own account. And, if you start drawing prior to full retirement age, your benefit amount will be permanently reduced.

If you are already drawing on your own account, you would only be eligible for divorced spousal benefits if one-half of your ex-husband's full retirement age benefit (PIA) is higher than your own PIA.

Best, Jerry

Posted: 
Jul 12 2016 - 12:45pm
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