Ask Larry

Can I Receive Divorced Spousal Benefits At Age 60 If I'm On SSI?

My husband divorced me Dec 2016 and I had to move to another state, circumstances loosing everything and only having my clothes, going on ssi, can I receive divorced benefits being on ssi after I turn 60 this year

Hi. If your ex-spouse is still living, then the earliest that you could qualify for divorced spousal benefits is at age 62. The other eligibility requirements are outlined in the following section of Social Security's handbook: https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/handbook/handbook.03/handbook-0311.html.

If your ex-spouse is deceased, though, then you could potentially qualify for survivor benefits as early as age 60, or at age 50 if you're disabled. However, if you do start drawing either divorced spousal or survivor benefits, those benefits will reduce your Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments essentially dollar for dollar.

Best, Jerry

Posted: 
Feb 21 2022 - 11:28am
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