Hi Larry. My (at that time) wife began taking SS when she turned 62 (nearly four years ago). Nearly two years ago we divorced. In a couple of months I'll hit my Full Retirement Age, but plan to continue working. She plans to apply for the Divorced Spousal Benefit when I hit my FRA (and we will have been divorced for two years at that point). Wiill she be entitled to the full 50% of my benefit? Or, because she filed for her own benefit early - before her FRA - will the DSB be reduced? (I cannot find a solid explanation for this! I guess I'm asking if filing early for her own benefit is considered separately from her filing for the DSB at the optimal time (my FRA)?) Thank you very much!

Hi,

No, your ex-wife will retain any reduction for age applied to her own benefit rate because she filed early. For example, say Julie files for her benefits at age 62. Julie's primary insurance amount (PIA), which is equal to her full retirement age (FRA) rate, is $1000. However, in return for starting benefits early her rate is reduced to $750. Julie first qualifies for divorced spousal benefits when she reaches her FRA, and her ex's PIA is $2400. Julie's unreduced divorced spousal rate would be calculated by subtracting her PIA from 50% of her ex's PIA, which in her case is $200 (i.e. $2400/2 - $1000). That would then be added to Julie's reduced rate to give her a combined benefit of $950 ($750 + $200).

By the way, it sounds like if you were born prior to January 2 1954 you could potentially claim divorced spousal benefits when you reach FRA while allowing your own benefit rate to grow until age 70. You should strongly consider using our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) to explore your options so that you can choose your best possible filing strategy.

Best, Jerry