I was told by SS office that I can file for my retirement benefits this year at age 62 as I wish to do early as a divorced stay at home mother and limited income. My ex will not be 62 until next year and was told then to refile for my share of his subtracted by mine but need to do in person. I can file online. I am just concerned they do not have all of their eggs in a basket on the information and I want to do it correctly and not lose any money. Thanks, Linda

Linda, you can file for your retirement benefit based on your work record beginning at 62. You can become eligible for your divorced spousal benefit based on your ex's record in 2 ways: 1) if your ex files for their retirement or disability benefit. They have to be 62 to file for their retirement benefit. 2) if you've been divorced at least 2 consecutive years and your ex is at least 62. If you file early, before your full retirement age (FRA), your benefit will be reduced. Further you cannot restrict your application to just one of these either before your FRA or after since you were born after January 1 1954. If you'd like to confirm your benefit amounts, see the strategy that will maximize your lifetime benefits and see how alternative what-if scenarios compare, you can use our software to do so. Thanks, John