if I file a yr. early what percentage of my ex's will I get?

Hi,

That depends on whether or not your ex-spouse is living and whether you also receive benefits on your own record.

If your ex is living and you start drawing divorced spousal benefits a year prior to your full retirement age (FRA), your divorced spousal rate would amount to roughly 45.83% of your ex's full retirement age rate. On the other hand, if your ex is deceased and you file for survivor benefits a year prior to FRA your rate could be as much as 95.25% of your ex's full rate.

However, in the case of survivor benefits if your ex received reduced retirement benefits prior to his death your survivor benefit rate could be limited to a lower amount. And, if you receive Social Security benefits on your own record you could only be paid at most a partial spousal or survivor rate.

You may want to consider using our maximization software in order to explore and compare all of your options in order to determine your best strategy.

Best, Jerry