Depending on your ex-spouse’s income, you might be qualified to receive Social Security benefits if you are divorced. It also depends on your age and the length of time you were married. If your ex-spouse worked and paid into Social Security during your ten years or longer of marriage, and you are over sixty-two, you might be eligible to receive benefits.
Yes, you may be eligible to receive benefits based on your ex-husband’s Social Security work record if you meet certain requirements. This article will delve into the specifics of this eligibility, including the duration of your marriage, your age, and other factors. We will also explore the amount you can potentially receive, the application process, and frequently asked questions.
Eligibility Requirements:
To be eligible for benefits based on your ex-husband’s Social Security record, you must meet the following criteria:
- Marriage duration: You must have been married to your ex-husband for at least 10 years.
- Age: You must be at least 62 years old.
- Marital status: You cannot be currently married.
- Ex-spouse’s eligibility: Your ex-husband must be eligible to receive Social Security retirement or disability benefits, regardless of whether he has actually started collecting them.
Additional Considerations:
- If your ex-husband has not yet applied for retirement benefits but is eligible, you can still receive payments based on his earnings record as long as you have been divorced for at least two years and meet the other eligibility requirements.
- You can choose to receive only your ex-husband’s benefit and delay receiving your own if you were born before January 2, 1954, and have reached full retirement age (FRA). However, if your birthday falls on or after this date, you can no longer take only one benefit at your FRA.
- The same earnings limits apply to you and your ex-husband if you are both working and receiving benefits. The Social Security Administration’s (SSA) retirement earnings test calculator can help you determine how your earnings may affect these payments.
Benefit Amount:
A divorced spouse is generally entitled to a Social Security benefit that’s equivalent to 50% of the ex-spouse’s retirement benefit, even if the ex-spouse has remarried. If the ex-spouse is deceased, the former partner may be eligible for a survivor’s benefit of up to 100% of that amount. In either case, the divorced spouse must have reached their FRA to receive the full (50% or 100%) benefit.
Application Process:
You can apply for benefits online by going to SSA.gov, or by making an appointment at your local Social Security office. To apply for benefits on a former spouse’s work record, you will need to have that person’s Social Security number, or date, place of birth, and parents’ names.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Can I still collect benefits if my ex-husband remarries?
A: Yes, you can still collect benefits even if your ex-husband remarries. However, if you remarry while receiving benefits based on your ex-husband’s entitlement, and that person is still alive, you will no longer be eligible for those benefits.
Q: What happens if my ex-husband dies?
A: If your ex-husband dies, you may be eligible for survivor benefits on their earnings record, as long as you were 60 or older when you remarried.
Q: How do I know if I am eligible for benefits?
A: The best way to determine your eligibility is to contact the Social Security Administration. You can do this online, by phone, or by visiting your local Social Security office.
If you are divorced and meet the eligibility requirements, you may be able to receive benefits based on your ex-husband’s Social Security work record. This can be a valuable source of income, especially if you are not working or have a low income. The application process is relatively straightforward, and you can do it online or in person.
Additional Resources:
- Social Security Administration: https://www.ssa.gov/
- Investopedia: https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/081815/can-divorced-woman-collect-social-security-her-exhusband.asp
Keywords:
- Ex-spouse benefits
- Social Security
- Retirement benefits
- Divorce
- Eligibility requirements
- Application process
- Frequently asked questions
How Do I Qualify for My Ex’s Social Security?
You have to fulfill the following conditions in order to be eligible to receive Social Security benefits based on your ex-spouse’s earnings record:
- You have to have been wed to that partner for a minimum of ten years.
- You must be at least age 62
- You cannot currently be married
- Regardless of whether the ex-spouse has actually begun receiving benefits, you must be eligible to receive Social Security retirement or disability benefits at the time the ex-spouse applies.
If you and your ex-spouse have been divorced for at least two years and your ex-spouse is eligible for retirement benefits but has not applied, you may be able to receive benefits on their record.
How Much Social Security Do You Get From a Divorced Spouse?
Half of their former spouse’s retirement benefits are eligible for a divorced spouse. That benefit increases to 100% if the ex is deceased. The divorced spouse must reach full retirement age in order to be eligible for these benefits.