I will be 62 in Nov and no longer work. my x is 57 and still working. Will I be able to start my social security at 62 then draw on his when he turns 62 because he make more money? Would that be the best situation for me?

Hi,

You can't file for your own benefits and later switch to drawing just divorced spousal benefits. However, if you were married for at least 10 years and if your ex's primary insurance amount (PIA) is more than twice as much as your PIA, you could file for your own benefits as early as age 62 and then get additional divorced spousal benefits when your ex-spouse reaches age 62. But, you'd keep the age reduction in your benefit rate for at least as long as both you and your ex are living.

For example, Suzy files for her benefits at age 62. Suzy's PIA is $800, but she instead receives a reduced age 62 rate of $576. Suzy's ex-spouse reaches age 62 five years later when Suzy is full retirement age (FRA). Suzy's ex's PIA is $2000, so Suzy's unreduced divorced spousal rate is $200, which is calculated by subtracting her PIA from 50% of her ex's PIA (i.e. $2000/2 - $800). Suzy would then be paid her full excess divorced spousal amount of $200 plus her own reduced retirement of $576, giving her a combined benefit rate of $776.

You may want to consider using our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) to compare your options so that you can make an informed decision on when to start drawing your benefits.

Best, Jerry