Can I get more Social Security benefits from ex-spouse who never contributed while we were married?

Since you took benefits at 62, you're already locked into a permanently reduced benefit. I don't think divorce would help since you're already collecting. Just wait till he files and then you can get the higher of your benefit or half of his.

This is a common misconception. Since you're still legally married, when your husband claims his retirement benefits, you'll be eligible for a spousal benefit that could be up to 50% of his Primary Insurance Amount (PIA). However, because you claimed your own benefits early at 62, any spousal benefits would be reduced. The SSA will automatically give you the higher of either your own reduced retirement benefit OR the reduced spousal benefit. You don't get both added together - it's one or the other. If you divorced now after being married more than 10 years (which you were), you'd still be eligible for ex-spousal benefits when he files, so divorce doesn't really change your Social Security situation at this point. If you outlive him, you would be eligible for survivor benefits equal to 100% of what he was receiving (as either a widow or divorced widow).

That's correct. From a purely Social Security standpoint, divorce doesn't change your benefit eligibility since you were married over 10 years. When he files for his retirement, you'll need to contact SSA to apply for the spousal benefit - it's not completely automatic. They'll then pay you whichever is higher: your own benefit or the spousal benefit (which would be reduced since you claimed early).

YES I HAD THE EXACT SAME SITUATION!!!! And let me tell you the SSA makes it SO MUCH HARDER if you're divorced. When I tried to claim on my ex's record they kept loosing my paperwork and I had to provide our divorce decree THREE TIMES!!! So frustrating!! And they still messed up my payment amounts twice. If your still legally married its way easier because they already have you linked in their system.

It took MONTHS to get it fixed. I spent hours on the phone trying to reach someone. Absolutely impossible to get through most days - would just get disconnected after waiting forever!!

Let me clarify some technical points about your situation: 1. Since you claimed your own retirement benefits at age 62, they were permanently reduced to approximately 75% of your full retirement age (FRA) benefit amount. 2. When your spouse claims his retirement benefits, you would be eligible for a spousal benefit of up to 50% of his full retirement benefit amount. However, because you claimed benefits early, your spousal benefit would also be reduced based on the number of months before your FRA that you claimed. 3. The SSA will pay you the higher of either your own reduced retirement benefit OR the reduced spousal benefit. This happens through a process called "deemed filing" where they essentially compare the two amounts. 4. Regarding divorce: Since you were married for more than 10 years, divorcing now would not negatively impact your ability to claim on his record. As a divorced spouse (after a marriage of 10+ years), you would still be entitled to the same spousal benefits. 5. Survivor benefits: If you outlive him, as either a widow or a divorced widow (from a 10+ year marriage), you would be eligible for survivor benefits equal to 100% of what he was receiving, and this would replace your current benefit if higher. The only potential benefit to remaining married in your situation might be slightly easier paperwork when applying for spousal benefits, but the actual dollar amount of benefits would be the same whether divorced or not.

My sister was in almost the same situation!!! Her ex was a total deadbeat during their marriage but then got his act together after they split up. She waited until he retired and then applied for divorced spouse benefits. Got an extra $300 a month! But the paperwork was a NIGHTMARE! If your still married it's probably easier just stay that way unless theres other reasons to divorce.

She had to keep calling to check if he had filed yet. Total pain! Their kids didn't talk to him so she had no way of knowing. If your kids are still in touch with him, they can let you know when he applies for Social Security. Makes it easier!

To respond to your follow-up question - yes, you should contact SSA when your husband files for his benefits. There's no automatic notification system, so you'll need to either: 1. Ask your children to let you know when he mentions filing for Social Security 2. Contact SSA periodically starting around his 62nd birthday to check his filing status 3. Wait until he reaches his Full Retirement Age (probably 67 for someone who's 60 now) when he's more likely to file And you're correct that from a purely Social Security benefits perspective, there's no financial advantage or disadvantage to getting divorced at this point. The benefits calculation would be identical either way since you were married well over 10 years. The only practical difference is the documentation process - as a current spouse, the connection is already established in SSA's system, while as a divorced spouse, you would need to provide marriage and divorce documentation.

u know what tho, if ur husband is making good money maybe talkin to a lawyer bout a divorce and some spousal support might actually be worth it. just because ur separated dont mean ur not entitled to a share of his current income in some states. might be worth checkin on, just sayin