How do I find out how much my ex-husband's Social Security will be?
Asked by: Nola Wunsch | Last update: June 3, 2026Score: 4.2/5 (56 votes)
To find out about your ex-husband's Social Security benefits for you as a divorced spouse, you must apply directly with the Social Security Administration (SSA) by calling 800-772-1213 or visiting a local office; the SSA will then determine your eligibility and potential amount, and they won't notify your ex-husband that you're applying, as it's confidential and doesn't affect his benefits. You'll need your birth certificate, marriage certificate, and divorce decree to prove your eligibility for up to half his benefit if your marriage lasted at least 10 years.
How do I find out my ex-husband's Social Security amount?
How can a divorced person find out their ex-spouse's benefit at full retirement age? A Social Security representative can provide estimates of the benefit you may receive as a divorced spouse, based on your ex-spouse's earnings record.
How much of my ex-husband's Social Security will I get when he dies?
Social Security rules allow a qualifying former spouse to claim benefits based on the work history of a higher-earning ex. These benefits are worth up to 50% of that former spouse's Social Security benefit at full retirement age. However, if that former spouse dies, the benefit's value is worth up to 100%.
Can a divorced woman collect her ex-husband's Social Security?
Yes, a divorced wife can get her ex-husband's Social Security benefits if she was married for at least 10 years, is currently unmarried, is at least 62, and her ex-spouse is receiving benefits (or eligible for them), with the benefit being more than she'd get on her own record, and payments won't reduce the ex's or his current spouse's benefits.
Can my ex-wife get my Social Security if I remarry?
Yes, your ex-wife can still get divorced spouse Social Security benefits on your record even if you remarry, as long as she meets eligibility requirements (married 10+ years, unmarried herself when applying, and at least 62) and remarried after age 60 (or 50 if disabled); your remarriage doesn't affect her eligibility, but if she remarries before age 60, she generally loses benefits unless that marriage ends.
How Divorced Social Security Spousal Benefits Work
How much Social Security does a divorced spouse get?
A divorced spouse can receive up to 50% of their ex-spouse's full Social Security retirement benefit, provided the marriage lasted at least 10 years, the claimant is unmarried and at least 62, and the ex-spouse is entitled to benefits, even if they've remarried or haven't claimed. You get the greater of your own benefit or the spousal benefit, and claiming before your full retirement age (FRA) permanently reduces it to as low as 32.5% of the ex's FRA amount, with no added bonus for waiting past your FRA.
What is the 5 year remarry rule?
Ideally, an individual who obtained a green card through marriage should wait at least 5 years before getting remarried to a foreign national.
Can a woman draw off her ex-husband's Social Security?
Yes, a divorced wife can get her ex-husband's Social Security benefits if she was married for at least 10 years, is currently unmarried, is at least 62, and her ex-spouse is receiving benefits (or eligible for them), with the benefit being more than she'd get on her own record, and payments won't reduce the ex's or his current spouse's benefits.
What is the Social Security spousal benefits loophole?
The "Social Security spousal benefits loophole" refers to strategies like "File and Suspend" and "Deemed Filing", which allowed a lower-earning spouse to collect spousal benefits while the higher earner's own benefit grew, maximizing lifetime payments. These loopholes were largely closed by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, effective in 2016, meaning you generally must file for both your own and spousal benefits if eligible, and suspending your own benefit now also suspends spousal benefits on your record.
What is the maximum spousal benefit?
3 The maximum spousal benefit is 50% of your spouse's FRA benefit if you claim at your FRA. 3 If you receive a spousal benefit before you reach FRA, it will be reduced and will not increase when you reach FRA.
Can you claim your ex-husband's Social Security if he is still alive?
you're eligible for some of your ex's Social Security
That means most divorced women collect their own Social Security while the ex is alive, but can apply for higher widow's rates when he dies.
Can I stop my ex-wife from getting my Social Security?
No, you generally cannot stop your ex-wife from receiving Social Security benefits on your record if she qualifies, as clauses in divorce decrees trying to prevent this are "worthless and never enforced" by the Social Security Administration (SSA). A divorced spouse who meets the criteria (married at least 10 years, divorced for two, unmarried) can claim benefits on your record without affecting your payment or your current spouse's, and the SSA doesn't need your permission or even your knowledge to process the claim, according to articles from The Medicare Family and Dughi, Hewit & Domalewski.
How do I apply for ex-spouse Social Security benefits?
Form SSA-2 | Information You Need to Apply for Spouse's or Divorced Spouse's Benefits. You can apply: Online, if you are within 3 months of age 62 or older, or. By calling our national toll-free service at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or visiting your local Social Security office.
How can I find out my ex-husband's income?
In some cases, you may request, or the court might order your ex-spouse to complete an Income and Expense Declaration (Form FL-150). This form requires a detailed account of their current earnings and expenses. With a court order, you might be able to obtain earnings information directly from your ex-spouse's employer.
Is Social Security public record?
The FOIA allows members of the public to request records from Federal agencies. At the Social Security Administration (SSA), we are committed to promoting transparency and openness in government while balancing the need to protect certain information from release.
How to collect deceased ex-husband's Social Security?
Form SSA-10 | Information You Need to Apply for Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Divorced Spouse's Benefits. You can apply for benefits by calling our national toll-free service at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or visiting your local Social Security office.
Can a divorced woman collect her ex-husband's Social Security?
Yes, a divorced wife can get her ex-husband's Social Security benefits if she was married for at least 10 years, is currently unmarried, is at least 62, and her ex-spouse is receiving benefits (or eligible for them), with the benefit being more than she'd get on her own record, and payments won't reduce the ex's or his current spouse's benefits.
Who qualifies for an extra $144 added to their Social Security?
You don't get an extra $144 added; rather, this refers to the Medicare Part B Giveback Benefit, offered by some Medicare Advantage plans that pay back part or all of your Part B premium, appearing as extra money in your Social Security check if it's deducted from there. To qualify, you must be enrolled in Medicare Parts A & B, pay your own Part B premium (not covered by Medicaid), and live in the service area of a Medicare Advantage plan offering this specific benefit, with the amount varying by plan and location.
How to get $3000 a month in Social Security?
To get $3,000 a month from Social Security, you generally need high lifetime earnings (around $100k+ annually for many years) and should wait to claim benefits, ideally until age 70, as claiming early significantly reduces monthly payments. The key factors are maximizing your 35 highest-earning years, waiting until your Full Retirement Age (FRA) or beyond (up to age 70) to boost benefits with delayed retirement credits, and understanding that early claims (age 62) can cut your benefit by up to 30%.
How much of my ex-husband's Social Security will I get?
You can get up to 50% of your ex-husband's full retirement benefit as a divorced spouse if you wait until your own Full Retirement Age (FRA) to claim, but you can start as early as age 62 for a reduced amount (around 32.5% if you claim at 62). The benefit is based on his work record and won't affect his benefit or his new spouse's, and you'll get a higher amount (up to 100%) if he passes away.
What is the new Social Security spousal rule?
The "new" Social Security spousal rule isn't one single rule change, but recent significant updates include the Social Security Fairness Act of 2024, ending Windfall Elimination (WEP) & Government Pension Offset (GPO) for spousal/survivor benefits from Jan 2024, and the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, which ended the "file and suspend" strategy for many by making "deemed filing" apply at full retirement age (FRA) and beyond, meaning you can't get a spousal benefit while delaying your own larger one to earn delayed credits. Key rules remain: spousal benefits are up to 50% of the primary worker's benefit, available at age 62 (reduced), and you get the higher of your own or the spousal benefit, with the worker needing to file first.
Can I take my ex-husband's Social Security instead of mine?
You are eligible to receive one-half (50%) of your ex-spouse's retirement benefit. If your ex-spouse should die before you, you can receive their full retirement benefit. The benefit does not include any delayed retirement credits your ex-spouse may receive.
How long do you have to be divorced before you get remarried?
Specifically, you may want to know how long after divorce can you remarry in California. You cannot remarry until your old marriage is legally over. Additionally, you have to wait at least six months before you can remarry.
Does my ex-wife still get half of my retirement if she remarries?
If you remarry after age 60 you can still receive survivor benefits based on your former spouse's record. But if your new spouse is also collecting Social Security benefits, and you would receive a higher amount based on the new spouse's work record, you will receive the higher amount.
What happens when you get divorced after 10 years?
If a couple has been married for more than 10 years when they are divorced, an individual who reaches retirement age can receive a portion of Social Security benefits based on their ex-spouse's earnings, assuming that individual has not remarried.