Ask the Experts Social Security Benefits for an Ex-Spouse

Q. I was married for 21 years before my divorce. My ex-wife collects a Social Security spousal benefit based on my work record. Will that affect my current wife’s ability to collect benefits?

A. No. The benefits to your ex-wife have no bearing on what your current wife may collect. Your current wife cannot file for a spousal benefit unless you are collecting your own benefit. But Social Security rules let your ex at age 62 receive benefits on your record if the divorce is at least two years old and if you are eligible, even if you are not yet collecting benefits yourself.

Source: Social Security Administration

Carole Fleck

Leave a comment Cancel reply

Born on the North West Coast of the US. I am use to Snow Capped Mountains, beautiful Forests, wild flowers on wild Rivers. The once wild foods, berries of the area and the beloved Salmon.

I could look out across the cold waters of the Pacific Ocean. I could look in land at the Snow Capped Mountains.

I watched the Hawks and Eagles soaring in the clean pure blue skies. Enjoyed the thrill of the first crys of the Geese in Spring and Winter. As thousands of flocks in v formation made their dramatic way North or South each season.

Loving the show of the Northern Lights dancing across the skies.

Hearing the howl of the wolf packs. Hearing them pausing at the tent flap at night, as they listened in on you.

Finding you were being tracked by curious Mountain Lions in the snow when crossing back over the trails and seeing their foot prints behind yours.

Seeing huge bear tracks just filling in with water on the trail and the hair standing up on the back of your neck realizing he/she is right next to you in the brush.