Can I collect reduced Social Security ex-spouse benefits at 62 if my ex isn't collecting yet?

Thank you! That's a relief to hear. Do you know what percentage of his benefit I would actually get? Is it 50% of what he would get at his full retirement age, and then reduced because I'm taking it early? Or is it 50% of whatever he would get at 62?

This makes absolutely no sense to me. I thought if you were married for atleast 10 years and havent remarried that you would get 50% of your ex spouse no matter what. Since when do they reduce it for claiming early??? That doesnt sound right at all!

Thanks for the detailed explanation! So it sounds like if I want the full 50%, I'd need to wait until my FRA (which I think is 67 for me). But I can claim early if I'm willing to accept the permanent reduction. Does my benefit amount increase if he waits until 70 to claim and gets those delayed retirement credits? Or is it always based on his FRA amount regardless of when he actually files?

Your sister received incorrect information (unfortunately common with SSA). The rule is clear: If you've been divorced for at least 2 years, you can file for ex-spouse benefits regardless of whether your ex has filed for their own benefits or not. However, the ex must be at least 62 (eligible for benefits). This is called the "independently entitled divorced spouse" provision. Some SSA representatives confuse this with the rule for currently married spouses, who DO have to wait for the worker to file first. Your sister should contact SSA again and specifically reference the "independently entitled divorced spouse" rule if she's still having issues.

I was in the same frustrating situation trying to sort out my ex-spouse benefits. After weeks of failed attempts, I found this service called Claimyr that got me through to a real SSA agent in about 20 minutes instead of waiting for hours. They have a video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU. It saved me so much time and stress! Their website is claimyr.com if you want to check it out. Made a huge difference in getting my ex-spouse benefit application sorted out.

I think you misunderstood. I'm 59 now, but I'm asking about what will happen when I turn 62 in a few years. I know I can't claim anything yet.

This is potentially misleading. SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is needs-based and has very strict income and resource limits. You must have less than $2,000 in countable resources ($3,000 for couples) and very limited income. It's also not related to work credits or marriage history - it's purely a needs-based program for people with limited resources who are aged 65+, blind, or disabled. The original poster should certainly check eligibility if they have very limited resources, but SSI is not a standard "waiting" option for people approaching retirement age unless they meet those strict criteria.

Unfortunately, work that wasn't reported to the IRS ("under the table") doesn't count toward Social Security credits. There's no way to retroactively claim those earnings now without potentially triggering tax issues for those prior years. However, if you're still working, even part-time, you could start building credits now. You need 40 credits (10 years of work) to qualify for retirement benefits on your own record. In 2025, you earn one credit for each $1,750 in covered earnings, up to 4 credits per year. If collecting on your ex-spouse's record is your best option, that's perfectly fine. Just be aware that if you do accumulate enough credits for your own benefit, SSA will pay your own benefit first, and then supplement it with ex-spouse benefits if your ex's record would provide a higher amount.