Dear Liz: My ex-husband and I were married for 10 years. I married again, but am now a widow. I was told I could collect benefits on my prior marriage when my ex-husband passes. But, now that I’m a widow, I am wondering if I’m eligible to collect on my ex-husband’s record, though he is living. I’m currently getting my late husband’s benefit.
Answer: You could be entitled to a divorced spousal benefit based on your ex’s earning’s record. The divorced spousal benefit could be up to half of your ex’s benefit at his full retirement age. You would only collect that amount if it was greater than what you are currently receiving, however. You can call Social Security to check if you’re entitled to a larger benefit.
To recap: Survivor benefits are up to 100% of what the primary worker received at their death, while spousal benefits are up to half of what the (still living) primary worker would receive at full retirement age. Someone who is divorced can be entitled to benefits based on their ex’s’ work records if the marriage lasted at least 10 years.
Liz,
I’m 67 yo male, still working and plan to as long as I can, waiting as long as possible to take social security benefits. My wife of 18 years and I are unfortunately going through a divorce. She has never worked in this country. I’m hoping you can help me figure out what her benefit will be if I live until 70 and/or if I die before or after. Does it change if she or I remarry?
Thanks,
I was married 37 years, 7 children, divorced 29 years ago. At 62, I needed to claim SS because I needed the monthly. I was never told that if I had waited a few more years, my monthly would be much better. Learned that when it was too late. They did tell me that if my EX died before me, I would be entitled to have my amount bounced to what he was collecting. He probably WILL die before me due to some serious health problems. But….this is what I don’t know. He remarried someone who is collecting SS at “some level” (I know not what), but her husband had died. Does she NOW become the one who collects my ex’s monthly amount if he dies before her, which would mean she would be collecting two checks a month? And I would loose my ability to have my amount increased to “whatever” that amount would be (whatever it is, I’m pretty sure it would significantly raise my mthly check. I just want to be prepared for what I can expect when/if he departs before me. Thanks for whatever you can tell me. I read your column every time it’s in my newspaper!