Can I claim ex-spouse Social Security benefits at my FRA before he reaches his?

You can claim your ex-spouse benefits when YOU reach your full retirement age, regardless of whether your ex has filed for his benefits or even reached his FRA. The requirements are: marriage lasted at least 10 years (you have 31), you're unmarried now, you're at least 62, and your ex is entitled to SS retirement (even if he hasn't filed yet). Since you'll be at your FRA, you'll get the full 50% of his PIA. The only catch is if you're eligible for your own retirement benefits, you'll get whichever is higher, not both. Hope this helps!

My neighbor went through the EXACT same thing!! He divorce after 25 years and was 3 yrs older than her ex husband. She got her 50% as soon as she hit FRA. didn't have to wait for him to do anything. But she said the SS office kept asking for her divorce papers everytime she called so make sure you have all that stuff ready!!

I think you might be confused about how this works. If you claim at YOUR full retirement age, you'll only get 50% of what your ex-husband would get at HIS full retirement age, not 50% of what he actually receives. And if he hasn't filed yet, there might be complications. The rules are REALLY confusing. When I went through this last year, I got different answers from three different SSA reps!!! So frustrating.

I went through this exact situation. You absolutely CAN claim on your ex's record when you reach your FRA, regardless of whether he's filed or reached his FRA. The key points from my experience: 1. Your marriage was over 10 years (check) 2. You're currently unmarried (I assume this is true) 3. You're at least 62 (you will be at FRA, so check) 4. Your ex is eligible for benefits (even if not claimed yet) The most important form you'll need is the SSA-16 (Application for Retirement Insurance Benefits). Make sure to indicate you're filing for ex-spouse benefits. Also bring your marriage certificate and divorce decree to your appointment. They'll also want your birth certificate and possibly tax records to verify your work history. Don't let them tell you that you need to wait for him to file - that's incorrect for ex-spouse benefits (though it would be true if you were still married).

I was in a similar situation last year and tried calling SSA for weeks but kept getting disconnected or waiting for hours. I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an agent in about 10 minutes. They have a video demo of how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU. It was the only way I could finally get someone to answer my questions about my ex-spouse benefits. The agent was able to tell me exactly what documents I needed and scheduled my application appointment. Saved me so much frustration!

lol don't listen to half these people... you get whatever the government decides to give you. my sister thought she was getting 50% of her ex's and ended up with way less. something about "maximum family benefit" or whatever. the whole system is designed to confuse us.

When I filed for my ex-spouse benefits, there was a whole section of the application about whether I was eligible for a pension based on work not covered by Social Security (like certain government jobs). Do you have any pension from a job where you didn't pay Social Security taxes? If so, the WEP and GPO provisions might reduce your benefits. Just something to consider that nobody else mentioned yet.

I'm so confused about this whole 50% thing. Is it 50% of what he WOULD get at his FRA or 50% of what he WILL get when he actually files?? If he waits till 70 does that mean you get more too?? These rules make no sense!!!!!

One more important thing: make sure you compare what you'd get from your own work record vs. the ex-spouse benefit. SSA will pay you whichever is higher, not both. With 31 years of marriage but only part-time work, the ex-spouse benefit is likely higher, but it's worth checking. You can create an account at ssa.gov and see your own estimated benefit amount.

just wondering, does your ex know youre applying for this? do they notify him or anything? my ex would freak out if he knew i was getting money based on his record lol

make sure you bring EVERYTHING to your appointment!!! birth certificate, SS card, marriage license, divorce papers, tax returns, ID, everything!!! my friend forgot her divorce decree and had to reschedule and waited another 6 weeks for an appointment it was a nightmare