Ask Larry

Can You Explain Why My Divorced Spousal Rate Went Down?

Hi I got divorced and for a certain amount of time received off of my ex's ss. After that time it went down. Once I turned 65, they said it would not go back up. Can someone explain? They cant!

Hi,

I have no way of knowing why your benefit rate would have gone down. Normally, a person's benefit rate wouldn't actually go down unless an overpayment is being withheld, or part of their benefits are being withheld because of the Social Security earnings test (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/whileworking.html).

Only Social Security employees would have access to your benefit information, so they should be able to give you an explanation.

Best, Jerry

Category: 
Posted: 
Apr 21 2020 - 11:26am
MaxiFi software running on a laptop
Get What's Yours!
Discover tens of thousands in extra retirement dollars with Maximize My Social Security software!
  • Find your maximized strategy
  • Unlimited what-ifs
  • Step-by-Step filing instructions
  • Our software's lifetime-benefit increase for an illustrative couple earning $65K each and planning to take retirement benefits at 62.

    Results will differ based on your specific case and filing strategy.

Getting Started is Easy
Web-based software. Works on ALL browsers. No download.