Can I still get Ex-Spouse Social Security benefits if I remarry after age 60?

Thank you! So to clarify - if I remarry now, I can NEVER get any spousal benefits based on my ex's record while he's alive, but I COULD get survivor benefits if he passes away? Is that correct? This is more complicated than I thought.

Thanks for sharing your mom's experience - that's really helpful to hear from someone who's been through it. So it sounds like the remarriage after 60 rule only applies to survivor benefits, not regular spousal benefits. That's an important distinction I wasn't clear on.

WAIT WHAT?? So the GPO/WEP is actually going away??? I thought that bill died in committee AGAIN!! Is this for real?? I'm a retired firefighter with a pension and this would be HUGE news!!

Thank you for this detailed explanation! Since I'm already 60, I guess the main question is whether the potential spousal benefits I'd give up by remarrying are worth more than what I might get from my new husband's record. My boyfriend has a modest earnings record, definitely lower than my ex. This gives me a lot to think about.

I tried calling SS for WEEKS about a similar situation and could never get through! Always busy signals or disconnects after waiting on hold forever. Absolutely infuriating when you're trying to make important life decisions.

i know right?? my aunt got remarried 2 months b4 turning 60 and had no idea about this rule. cost her like $1500 a month in benefits when her ex died the next year. so unfair!

That's a really good point about the timing. I hadn't considered that even if I remain unmarried, I can't claim on his record until he files, which could be years from now. Since I'm already 60 and he's 55, there's at least a 7-year gap before I could even potentially claim spousal benefits. That definitely changes my calculation.

Yes, if you get divorced from a second marriage, you can once again become eligible for benefits based on your first ex-spouse's record, provided: 1. Your second marriage has ended (by divorce, annulment, or death) 2. You're unmarried currently 3. Your first marriage lasted at least 10 years 4. You're at least 62 years old So your friend's mother's situation is entirely possible and follows SSA rules. This is another consideration for the original poster - if a second marriage doesn't work out, she could regain eligibility for those ex-spouse benefits.

This is such great advice! I'm new to navigating Social Security but going through a similar situation. @Sofia Perez - when you mention asking SSA to run calculations using current earnings, do they actually have access to see what someone s'projected benefit would be even if they haven t'filed yet? I m'wondering if they can estimate based on his current $160k salary or if they d'need his complete earnings history. Also, is there a specific form or process for requesting these multiple scenario calculations, or do you just explain your situation when you call?

@Jade Lopez Great question! Yes, SSA can run projections even before someone files. They have access to earnings records through the system and can estimate benefits based on current salary trends. When you call, just explain you need benefit estimates for planning purposes - they re'used to these requests. You don t'need a specific form, but it helps to have your ex s'SSN if you re'asking about spousal/survivor benefits on their record. They can show you scenarios like if "I claim at 62 vs FRA and" spousal "vs own record comparisons." The reps are generally helpful with this kind of planning, though you might need to call back if you get someone less knowledgeable. It s'worth the effort to get those hard numbers before making major life decisions!

@Jade Lopez Great question! SSA can access anyone s'earnings record through their system, so they can estimate your ex s'projected benefits based on his complete work history plus current earnings. They use a formula that factors in his highest 35 years of earnings inflation-adjusted (to) calculate what his benefit would be at various claiming ages. When you call, just explain that you re'trying to understand spousal benefit eligibility and ask them to run a benefit "estimate for" spousal benefits based on your ex-spouse s'record. You ll'need to provide his SSN and some basic info to verify the marriage. They can show you what 50% of his Primary Insurance Amount PIA (would) be, which is the spousal benefit amount. No special forms needed - this is a standard request they handle regularly. Just be prepared for potentially long hold times! Some local offices also do in-person appointments which can be easier for complex scenarios like this. The key is getting actual dollar amounts rather than just general rules, since everyone s'situation is different.

@Jade Lopez Great question! SSA has access to earnings records through their system, so they can estimate benefits based on someone s'work history up to the current year. They don t'need the person to have filed - they can pull the earnings record and project what the benefit would be at different claiming ages. When you call, just explain that you re'trying to understand potential spousal benefits and ask them to run a benefit "estimate for spousal benefits based on ex-spouse s'record. They" might ask for your ex s'Social Security number, but sometimes they can work with just name and date of birth if you don t'have the SSN. There s'no special form - just be clear about what scenarios you want calculated. In @Liam Sullivan s case,'I d ask'for: 1 His own) benefit at FRA, 2 Potential spousal) benefit on ex s record,'and 3 Potential survivor) benefit amount. Having those three numbers will make the remarriage decision much clearer from a financial standpoint. The representatives are usually helpful with these what if "calculations, especially" when you explain it s for'major life planning decisions.

@Jade Lopez Great question! SSA has access to everyone s'earnings records through their systems, so they can absolutely estimate projected benefits based on current earnings patterns. When you call, they can pull up your ex-spouse s'Social Security Statement data which (includes their earnings history and) project what their benefit would be at different claiming ages. You don t'need a specific form - just explain that you re'trying to understand your options as a divorced spouse and ask them to run scenarios for: 1. Your own benefit at FRA 2. Spousal benefit on ex s'record 50% (of his FRA amount 3.) Potential survivor benefit 100% (of his benefit amount They) can use his current $160k salary to estimate, but keep in mind Social Security benefits are based on your highest 35 years of indexed earnings, so if he s'been earning less in previous years, the actual benefit might be lower than what a current salary projection would suggest. Pro tip: Ask for the calculations in writing or take detailed notes - it s'easy to get confused with all the numbers they ll'throw at you! Also, if the first rep seems unsure about divorced spouse rules, don t'hesitate to call back and try again.

@Jade Lopez Great question! SSA can actually provide estimates based on someone s'earnings record even if they haven t'filed yet. They have access to all reported W-2 and self-employment earnings through their systems. When you call, they can pull up your ex s'Social Security Statement which (shows lifetime earnings and) calculate what his benefit would be at different claiming ages. You don t'need a specific form - just explain that you re'trying to understand potential spousal benefits and ask them to run scenarios. Be prepared with your ex s'full name, date of birth, and Social Security number if you have it though (they might be able to find the record with just name and DOB if you were married .)They can show you what 50% of his Primary Insurance Amount PIA (would) be, which is what you d'get as a spousal benefit. Since he s'still working and earning $160k, his benefit will likely continue growing until he files. One tip: if you don t'have his SSN, you can still get estimates by providing details about the marriage dates and his approximate lifetime earnings. The calculations won t'be as precise, but they ll'give you a ballpark figure to work with for planning purposes.

@Jade Lopez Great question! Yes, SSA can run projections based on current earnings records even before someone files. They have access to annual earnings reports from employers W-2s, (etc. so) they can estimate what someone s'Primary Insurance Amount PIA (would) be at different filing ages. When you call, just explain you need benefit estimates for planning purposes and mention you re'considering spousal benefits on an ex-spouse s'record. They can pull up his earnings history you (ll'need his SSN and) run the calculations. No special forms needed, but having his full name, SSN, and birth date ready will speed things up. One tip: Ask them to email or mail you the written estimates rather than just getting verbal numbers over the phone. That way you can compare the scenarios side by side when making your decision. The calculations can get complex with multiple variables, so having it in writing really helps!

@Jade Lopez Great question! SSA does have access to earnings records through their system, but there are some limitations. They can see your ex-spouse s'complete earnings history up to the most recent posted year usually (1-2 years behind current year .)So they might not have his 2024 earnings yet, but they d'have through 2022 or 2023. When you call, just explain you re'trying to understand potential spousal benefits based on your ex s'record and ask them to run a what "if calculation." They can estimate his Primary Insurance Amount PIA (based) on his earnings history and project what your spousal benefit would be 50% (of his PIA at your FRA .)No special form needed - just be prepared with his full name, DOB, and SSN if you have it. Some reps are more helpful than others, so if you get someone who seems confused about divorced spouse benefits, politely end the call and try again. The calculation itself is free and they should be able to give you rough numbers over the phone. Pro tip: Call early in the month like (the first week when) they re'less busy with benefit payments and new applications!

@Jade Lopez Great question! Yes, SSA can run projections based on current earnings records even before someone files. They have access to the complete earnings history through the Social Security Administration database - every employer reports wages annually, so they can see the $160k salary and all previous years. When you call or visit a local office, just explain you want benefit estimates for multiple scenarios. They can run what s'called a benefit "estimate or" what-if "calculation." You don t'need a special form - just be specific about what you want to compare your (own record vs. spousal benefits on ex s'record vs. potential survivor benefits .)One tip: if you have trouble getting through by phone, you can also create a my Social Security account online at ssa.gov. It won t'show spousal/survivor estimates from other people s'records, but it will show your own projected benefits and you can play with different filing ages. Then when you do get through to SSA, you ll'have your own numbers ready to compare against the spousal/survivor estimates they can provide. The representatives are usually pretty helpful with these what "if scenarios" once you get connected - it s'getting through the phone system that s'the challenge!

@Jade Lopez Great question! SSA can provide estimates based on someone s'earnings record even before they file, but they ll'need the person s'permission or you ll'need to be authorized to discuss their benefits. For your ex-spouse, they can use their current earnings history through the most recent year on file usually (the previous tax year to) project what their benefit would be at different claiming ages. When you call, just explain you re'trying to understand potential spousal benefits and ask for a benefit "estimate or" what-if "scenario calculation." They can show you what 50% of their Primary Insurance Amount PIA (would) be, which is what spousal benefits are based on. However, keep in mind that if your ex is still working and earning $160k like Liam mentioned, their benefit could still be growing significantly since they re'only 55. The calculation will be based on their highest 35 years of earnings, so those current high-earning years are likely replacing lower-earning years from earlier in their career. You might also want to create a my Social Security account online - you can see your own projected benefits there and play around with different claiming scenarios. It s'really helpful for planning!

Great question @Jade Lopez! SSA has access to everyone's earnings records through their system, so they can absolutely estimate benefits based on current earnings patterns. When you call, they can pull up your ex-spouse's Social Security Statement data (the same info he'd see if he created a my.ssa.gov account) and run projections based on his current salary continuing until his retirement age. You don't need a specific form - just explain that you're trying to understand potential spousal benefits and ask them to run scenarios. Be prepared with: your ex's full name, SSN if you have it (though they might be able to find him with just name/DOB), and your marriage dates. They can show you what his estimated benefit would be at age 62, FRA, and age 70, then calculate what your spousal benefit would be (up to 50% of his FRA amount). One tip: if you don't have his SSN, they might not be able to access his record during the call. You could ask him directly, or if that's awkward, sometimes divorce paperwork has it. The calculations are worth the effort though - could save you thousands in the long run!