The Independence Factor: Claiming Without Your Ex
Divorced retirees often hesitate to explore spousal benefits because they want to avoid contacting an estranged former spouse. The process is entirely completely independent. When you file for divorced spouse benefits, the Social Security Administration handles the calculations internally; they do not require your ex-spouse’s permission, nor do they notify your ex-spouse that you have filed a claim.
Furthermore, the amount you receive has zero impact on your ex-spouse’s monthly check. It also does not reduce the benefits available to their current spouse if they have remarried. The system treats your claim as a completely separate payout from the trust fund.
To file, you simply need to provide the SSA with your marriage certificate and your final divorce decree. Knowing your ex-spouse’s Social Security Number expedites the process, but if you do not have it, providing their exact date of birth, place of birth, and parents’ names usually gives the SSA enough information to locate their earning record.
Once you want to claim your own benefits..can you stop 1/2 payment from your ex & start your own since it is higher?
The increase is only your benefit amount or his. Whichever is the higher. No stacking of yours & some of his. Men usually earn more then a woman. You are entitled to the higher amount & it doesn’t affect his monthly amount he gets. Call the SS administration. This is something I’ve known about since I was in my 40’s, it’s unfortunate that SS keeps it quiet. You are entitled to his monthly amount, instead of yours, if his is higher.
Could depend if you were in a common law state. Call SS admi to find out
Call SS & find out
No. Just your own benefits. Gotta have 10 yrs of marriage to collect off of a spouse
Not some of his. It’s about if his amount would be higher then yours, you could draw his higher amount. Not your own. And it doesn’t affect his monthly amount either.
What benefits am I entitled to if i divorced my husband after 10 years then remarry at 32 years, both spouses die. I am 77 years old
I wasn’t married for ten years can I claim anything?
I lived with my spouse for 40 years but we never married, am I entitled to anything??
Suppose my Ex got married again?