How to get ex-spouse Social Security benefits at 70 when we're different ages?

You've got several questions there, so let me try to help. First, you CAN claim ex-spouse benefits even if your ex hasn't filed yet, as long as you've been divorced at least 2 years (which you have). The 50% is based on his Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) at his full retirement age, not what he'd get at 70. So his continued work won't affect what you can get as an ex-spouse. There is no specific "maximum" ex-spousal benefit, but it's capped at 50% of his PIA. The max benefit for 2025 for a worker retiring at FRA is around $3,900/month, so theoretically the max ex-spousal benefit would be about $1,950. To compare benefits, you need to contact SSA directly - they won't tell you his exact benefit amount, but they can tell you which benefit would be higher for you.

when I was going thru this for my divorce I couldnt find out ANY info about my ex's benefits!!!!! the ssa wouldn't tell me anything about how much he gets!!! so frustrating. I had to just apply anyway and see what I got. and it takes FOREVER to process. i waited like 6 months to get approved!!!!! the whole system is rigged I swear

When I got divorced after 30 years of marriage, I was in a similar situation. I just walked into my local SS office with my divorce decree and asked them to compare my benefit to half of my ex's. They can't tell you his exact amount, but they CAN tell you which one is higher. You should bring your marriage certificate too. And your driver's license. And maybe your birth certificate. They love asking for extra documents!!

I went through this exact scenario last year. I was hitting my head against the wall trying to get through to SSA on the phone - busy signals or 2+ hour waits every time I called. I finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an SSA agent in about 15 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU. The agent was able to look at both my record and my ex's record (without telling me his exact amount) and told me that in my case, my own benefit would be higher at 70. Saved me so much stress - might be worth checking out if you can't get through on the normal SSA line.

To clarify a few important points about ex-spouse benefits: 1. You'll receive the HIGHER of either your own retirement benefit OR up to 50% of your ex-spouse's Primary Insurance Amount (PIA). 2. You do NOT receive both benefits added together. 3. If you wait until 70 to claim, your own benefit will have grown by 32% above your FRA amount, but the ex-spouse benefit does NOT get delayed retirement credits. 4. Since you're already past your FRA, you could actually claim JUST the ex-spouse benefit now while letting your own benefit continue to grow until 70. This is called a restricted application and is only available to people born before January 2, 1954. Given your age difference, this strategy might make sense - collect ex-spouse benefits for the next 3 years, then switch to your own (presuming it will be higher) at 70. You should definitely contact SSA to compare these amounts.

Just to be crystal clear on a couple of points that might be confusing: 1. The maximum Social Security benefit for someone retiring at FRA in 2025 is around $3,900/month, and for someone waiting until 70, it's about $4,850/month. But these amounts require earning at the maximum taxable amount for 35 years, which few people do. 2. For the restricted application strategy mentioned above, it ONLY works if you were born before Jan 2, 1954. Since you mentioned being 67 now in 2025, you would have been born around 1958, which means you would NOT be eligible for this strategy. 3. If your ex has not yet claimed his benefits, you can still claim ex-spouse benefits as long as you've been divorced for at least 2 years, which you have. If your own benefit at 70 will be higher than 50% of your ex's PIA, then waiting makes sense. But you should definitely contact SSA to find out which is higher.

Yes, that's correct. Since you were born in 1958, you would fall under the "deemed filing" rules, which means when you file for one benefit, you're deemed to be filing for all benefits you're eligible for, and you'll receive whichever amount is higher. You can either: 1. Take the ex-spouse benefit now (50% of his PIA) if that's higher than your own benefit at your current age, OR 2. Wait until 70 when your own benefit with delayed retirement credits will likely exceed the ex-spouse benefit. The SSA can tell you the exact amounts for both options so you can make an informed decision.

I don't mean to hijack but I have almost the same question except I'm only 62 and thinking about taking early benefits. My ex made waaaaay more than me (like 3x as much) and we were married 22 years. Would it be better for me to take his early or wait??? So confused!!!!

I CANT BELIEVE how complicated they make all this!!! Why does the government have to make everything so confusing??? normal people can't understand all these rules about FRA and PIA and deemed filing. it's like they don't want us to get what we deserve after paying into the system our whole lives!!!!

After reading through this thread, I'd recommend these steps: 1. Contact SSA to get specific estimates of what you'd receive as an ex-spouse benefit now vs. your own retirement benefit at 70. 2. If reaching SSA by phone is difficult (which it often is), consider either making an in-person appointment at your local office or trying a service that helps connect with SSA representatives. 3. Have your divorce decree, marriage certificate, and identification ready. 4. Ask specifically about whether your own benefit at 70 would exceed the ex-spouse benefit, and by how much. 5. Consider your current financial needs versus the long-term maximization of benefits. For many people who can afford to wait, delaying until 70 provides the highest lifetime benefit if you live past roughly age 80. But having actual numbers will help you make the best decision for your situation.