Confused about ex-spouse Social Security benefits when remarried - will it affect my current husband?

Your ex-spouse CANNOT collect on your record because you were married less than 10 years. The minimum marriage duration requirement for ex-spouse benefits is exactly 10 years. So you're safe from that scenario entirely. As for your current husband, yes, he might be eligible for spousal benefits on your record when you both reach retirement age, but only if your benefit amount is significantly higher than his own. This wouldn't reduce your benefit amount at all - spousal benefits don't affect the primary earner's payments in any way. If your current husband's own Social Security retirement benefit would be higher than 50% of yours, he would just receive his own benefit, not a spousal benefit on your record.

Yep! Ur ex can't claim NOTHIN from u since it was less than 10 yrs. My sister went thru the same thing but she was 1 month short of 10 yrs lol... Talk about bad timing!! Anyway don't worry about ur ex!

To add some important details to what others have said: 1. For ex-spouse benefits, the 10-year marriage duration is absolutely required. Since you were married for 9 years, your ex cannot collect on your record regardless of any other factors. 2. Your current husband may eventually qualify for spousal benefits on your record, but only if: - You are currently receiving retirement or disability benefits - He is at least 62 years old - His own benefit amount would be less than 50% of your full retirement age benefit 3. If your current husband claims spousal benefits, this has ZERO impact on your benefit amount. The spousal benefit is additional and doesn't reduce the primary worker's benefit. 4. The SSA will automatically calculate whether your husband would get more from his own record or from spousal benefits, and will pay whichever is higher. Hope this helps clarify things!

Yes, that's correct - your current husband would need to wait until you file for your own benefits before he could collect spousal benefits. Since he's 5 years older, he might want to claim his own benefits at his FRA (or earlier), and then when you file for your benefits, the SSA will automatically adjust his payment if the spousal benefit would be higher. The only exception to this rule applies to ex-spouses (who were married 10+ years), who can claim on their ex's record if the ex is eligible for benefits (even if not yet claiming) and they've been divorced for at least 2 years. But that doesn't apply to current spouses.

Don't worry! Your 9yr marriage means ex can't touch your SS. I thought the same thing but my brothers ex tried after 8yrs and she couldn't get a penny from him. The SSA told her she needed 10 full years to qualify for ex-spouse benefits!!!

I've been dealing with something similar and it's SO frustrating trying to get answers from SSA!!! I spent THREE DAYS calling the 800 number and either got disconnected or was on hold for hours. NOBODY PICKS UP!!! How are we supposed to get answers to these complicated questions?!? This system is BROKEN!

Thank you all for your responses! I'm so relieved to learn that the 9-year marriage means my ex can't claim on my record. And it's also good to know that if my current husband claims on my record someday, it won't reduce my benefits at all. That was my biggest worry. I'll look into that Claimyr service too - I've been avoiding calling SSA because I've heard how difficult it is to get through.

My aunt thought the same thing and was worried for years! Turns out she didn't need to worry at all. The 10-year rule is absolute. But did you know you could potentially claim on your ex's record if you wanted to? Since you remarried though that option is gone.

Has anyone else noticed they keep changing these rules every few years?? My mom got benefits from her ex husband but they were only married 8 years I think... but that was back in the 90s so maybe rules were different then???