I reach my FRA in April 2022. i was married for over 10 years, divorced in 2000 and never remarried. I want to maximize my SS and am asking for some direction. I work parttime and was wondering if I can start taking any kind of benefit on my ex-spouse's record in April and wait to start collecting my own benefit at 70. I dont know if my ex is collecting yet or not. He will be 68 in August of 2022. what is your best advice? I listen to your interviews as much as I can but havent heard one that pertains to my individual situation. Thank you so much Larry for revealing that the ssa "is not our friend". Many regards, Nancie

Hi Nancie. No, as long as your ex-spouse is living you couldn't apply for benefits from his account without being required to claim your own benefits at the same time. You'd then only be paid the higher of the two benefit rates. Only people who were born prior to January 2 1954 are allowed to apply for spousal or divorced spousal benefits at full retirement age (FRA) or later while allowing their own benefit rate to grow until age 70 (https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/claiming.html).

Your best strategy for claiming benefits depends on a number of different factors, so you should strongly consider using our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) to fully analyze all of your options so that you can determine your best strategy for maximizing your benefits.

Best, Jerry