Can I claim on ex-husband's Social Security after 36-year marriage when his benefit is lower than mine?

Yes, you're eligible for ex-spouse benefits because you were married over 10 years, but you won't receive both benefits - only the higher amount. Since your own benefit ($1,400) is higher than 50% of your ex's benefit (which would be about $600 based on his $1,200), you'll just get your own $1,400. The system automatically gives you the higher of the two calculations. If you wait until your Full Retirement Age (probably 67 for you), your own benefit would be higher still - around $2,000 versus the $1,400 at 62.

My sister went thru this same thing! She got divorced after 22 yrs and thought she could double dip but nope they just give u the bigger amount. social security is kinda stingy that way lol

Just to clarify a couple of technical points: at 62, you'd receive your own reduced retirement benefit OR up to 50% of your ex's full retirement age benefit (not what he's actually receiving), whichever is higher. Since your ex took benefits early, his $1,200 is already reduced from his full amount. His full retirement age benefit might be closer to $1,600-1,700, making half about $800-850. Your own $1,400 at 62 is still higher than half of his FRA amount, so you'd receive your own benefit. Also important: taking benefits at 62 means a permanent 30% reduction from your full retirement age amount. If your FRA benefit is $2,000, that's a $600/month difference for life. If you can work until at least 64 or 65, you'll have significantly more monthly income for the rest of your life.

I was in ALMOST the exact situation!!!! Married 33 years, divorced 6 years, ex took SS at 62. I talked to SS 3 TIMES and got 3 DIFFERENT ANSWERS about what I could get!!! First person said I could get half of his, second said only the difference if his was more, third said I couldn't get anything from him until HE DIED!! So frustrating!!!!!

If you're really struggling to get through to Social Security to discuss your specific situation, check out Claimyr (claimyr.com). I used them last month after trying for weeks to reach SSA about my ex-spouse benefits. They got me connected to an agent in about 20 minutes instead of waiting on hold for hours. They have a demo video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU. Seriously worth it because the agent I spoke with explained my ex-spouse benefit options in detail, including some exceptions I had no idea about.

have you ran numbers on what happens if you wait til 65? not 67 but not 62 either? might be a good compromise. i took mine at 62 and kinda regret it now that im 70 and still healthy. those checks would be a lot bigger if id waited! just my 2 cents

I thought if you were married more than 10 years you automatically get half of their SS?? My friend gets her ex's SS payment and her own too, she told me this last week!

Just wondering... have u checked what ur survivors benefit would be if ur ex passes away? That's different from the ex-spouse benefit while he's alive. If he dies, u can get his FULL benefit amount (what he would get at his FRA) if that's more than your own. My mom got my dad's full benefit after he passed even though they were divorced.