NEED ANSWER QUICK. MUST SEND REQUEST TO SSA BY 6/24!!!! Divorced Nov. 2018 after 60 years of marriage. (Not remarried) Ex receives maximum SS benefits based on his work record. I receive exactly what I received when married (with cola $740 / month) and was told that is all I'm entitled to because I started taking my benefits at 62. This doesn't seem right, considering all my years of marriage, during which my husband didn't want me to work. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE RESPOND ASAP. Thanks in advance, Phyllis

Hi Phyllis,

I don't know what type of request you're talking about, but the benefit rate that you're receiving is probably correct. I can't say for sure, though, because I don't have the full facts and figures of your case.

What I can tell you is that your benefit rate as a divorced spouse would be no different than your benefit rate as a spouse. And, if you started drawing your spousal benefits at age 62, the benefit rate reduction that you chose in order to start drawing your benefits early will continue for as long as both you and your ex-husband are living.

For example, let's say Ann didn't pay into Social Security long enough to qualify for benefits based on her own work record. Ann's husband was already drawing his benefits when Ann reached age 62, and his full retirement age (FRA) rate, or primary insurance amount (PIA), is $2200. Ann's husband receives his full retirement age rate because he waited until FRA to start drawing his benefits. If Ann waited until her FRA to file for spousal benefits, she would be eligible for a full 50% of her husband's PIA (i.e. $1100), but since Ann decided to start drawing spousal benefits at age 62 her spousal rate is reduced for age. Depending on Ann's year of birth, the reduction for age could amount to anywhere from 25% to 35%. Our Ann was born in 1958, so the percentage reduction in her case amounts to roughly 33%. As a result, Ann's reduced spousal rate amounts to $733 (i.e. $1100 x 66.6666...%).

If Ann and her husband subsequently divorce, Ann would continue to qualify for benefits as a divorced spouse provided that she and her husband were married for at least 10 years and as long as she doesn't remarry. However, Ann's benefit rate wouldn't change. Ann will be stuck with her reduced rate for as long as both she and her ex-husband are living. However, if Ann's ex dies before her and after Ann reaches FRA, she would then be eligible for her ex's full benefit rate as a survivor.

Best, Jerry