Divorce, and using spouses Social Security values...

[Holyoak]

My spouse had a higher income for a lot of the marriage and unless I am wrong, I can use her numbers to collect SS at the proper time at 1/2 her rate since the marriage was over 10 years?...  If I stay unmarried that is.  Say I wanted to know what that number would be right now, compared to my own; do I call the SS administration, email them for a request?  Do I have to wait until I am of retirement age to find out, how about proper documentation?...  Anyone ever do this, and can help with the details.  Thank you.

[giggles]

Yes, you could do this at your full retirement age, regardless of if she has filed or not.

How far from 62 are you?  It's kinda silly to get the numbers TOO far in advance since so many things could change.  I recommend waiting until 3 months before you turn 62 to make the appointment and find out the numbers.  Get them now if you are curious but remember they are not written in stone. 

I would go in person - they won't give you any info unless they have proof you are eligible on her record.  You will need your marriage and divorce decrees. 

[MikeBear]

62?

If op's really age 48 as below their user name, then full retirement age has got to be at least 67 AND the ex-spouse would have to sign up for benefits FIRST for them to collect spousal benefits under her record (she could sign up, and then suspend if she doesn't want them before 70). You can't collect under this at age 62, it must be FRA.

I'll be 56 shortly, and my FRA is 66 and 8 months.

[bogart]

If op's really age 48 as below their user name, then full retirement age has got to be at least 67 AND the ex-spouse would have to sign up for benefits FIRST for them to collect spousal benefits under her record (she could sign up, and then suspend if she doesn't want them before 70). You can't collect under this at age 62, it must be FRA.

Sure you can collect @ 62, and no, your ex-spouse doesn't have to be FRA, just 62 also (and eligible for SS retirement, of course, which most but not all US workers are).

http://www.ssa.gov/retire2/yourdivspouse.htm

[MikeBear]

Huh, ok, then it must be different getting this benefit for divorced spouses compared to still married spouses from the article I read the other day.

Thanks!

[mozar]

You can use the social security calculator. You probably have a rough idea of what your spouse made through the years. You just enter that to come up with an estimate. Most people who made over 50k for a number of years will get around 2k. So when you file your social security they will ask you which payment you want. The smart thing to do is to get your ex's SS (at 62 or 67?) until you turn 70, then  elect yours at 70, which will likely be higher by then. You can get SS at 62 (yours or their's I think) but it will be greatly diminished because the earlier you start the lower it is, and once its started you can't change it.