SS Spousal Benefit timing when divorced

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I will be retiring in 2025 at the age of 62 and filing for SS benefits. I was married for nearly 25 years, am now divorced, unmarried with no plans to re-marry. My ex-wife will not be 62 until 2028. Her lifetime earnings far exceed mine. When will I be able to claim the spousal benefit based on her earnings if I file for benefits next year based on mine? Or does my filing at 62 affect this higher benefit?

Ask the Experts - Retirement II - June 2024

LoriLeighEAAnswer

Alumni - Intuit

Welcome to the Event, RichardR3!

You are eligible to collect spousal benefits on a living former spouse's earning record as long as:

The marriage lasted at least 10 years.
You have not remarried.
You are at least 62 years of age.
Your ex-spouse is entitled to collect Social Security retirement or disability benefits.

Your former spouse doesn't need to be collecting her retirement benefits for you to claim ex-spousal benefits.

(In this case the divorce must be at least two years old.)

For more info go here: Ex-Spouse Benefits and How They Affect You

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xmasbaby0

Level 15

This is a question for Social Security.

www.ssa.gov

**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**