Common Mistakes to Avoid
Navigating the Social Security system requires precision. A single misunderstanding can cost you permanently. Watch out for these frequent pitfalls:
- Misunderstanding Deemed Filing: Whenever you file for Social Security benefits, you are “deemed” to be applying for all benefits you are eligible for. You cannot choose to take your divorced spouse benefit at 62 while letting your personal worker benefit grow until age 70. The SSA will automatically pay you the higher of the two available amounts.
- Waiting for your ex-spouse to file: Do not delay your own retirement waiting for your ex-spouse to initiate their claim. As long as you have been divorced for two years and your ex is eligible for benefits, you can move forward independently.
- Losing survivor benefits through early remarriage: Many individuals unknowingly forfeit massive survivor benefits by remarrying at age 58 or 59. Waiting until after your 60th birthday preserves your right to claim a deceased ex-spouse’s benefit.
- Overlooking the Government Pension Offset (GPO): If you receive a pension from a government job where you did not pay Social Security taxes, the GPO will reduce your divorced spouse benefit by two-thirds of your pension amount. This can entirely wipe out the spousal benefit in some scenarios.
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?