Q: Am I entitled to claim social security benefits from my ex-husband's record?
I was married to my ex-husband for more than 10 years, and I am currently 72 years old. I have not remarried and am receiving my own social security benefits of $900 monthly. Am I entitled to claim social security benefits based on my ex-husband's record, even though I filed for benefits before he retired?
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A:
Since you were married to your ex-husband for over ten years and have not remarried, you may indeed be eligible for Social Security benefits based on his earnings record. Being 72 years old means you're already beyond full retirement age, which qualifies you to receive benefits at their maximum possible amount. Even though you filed for benefits before your ex-husband retired, your eligibility doesn't depend on whether he had already claimed his benefits.
However, the key point to consider is whether the benefit amount from your ex-husband's earnings record exceeds your current monthly benefit of $900. Social Security allows you to receive an amount equal to half of your ex-spouse's full retirement benefit if that amount is higher than your own earned benefit. If his benefit is significantly higher, you could potentially increase your monthly benefit to match that higher amount.
To explore this, you should contact the Social Security Administration directly and provide your ex-husband's information. They'll review both benefit amounts and pay you whichever is higher. You're not required to inform your ex-husband, nor will your claim affect his payments.
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