Social Security benefits after 2nd divorce - can I claim on 1st husband of 29 years?

Yes, you can potentially claim on your first ex-husband's record after your second divorce is finalized, even though you remarried before 60. The key is that you'll be unmarried again when you apply. For ex-spouse benefits, you can claim as early as age 62, but you'll get a reduced amount. Your first ex doesn't need to be collecting already, but he does need to be at least 62, which he is. The rule is he needs to be "eligible" to claim, not actually claiming. As for benefit amounts, you'd get the higher of either your own benefit or up to 50% of your ex's full retirement age benefit (reduced if you claim early). Call SSA directly to get actual estimates. The strategy question is more complex. If you claim anything at 62, it's permanently reduced. If your own benefit at FRA would be higher than the ex-spouse benefit, you might consider waiting. There's no more "file and suspend" strategies available.

My sis went thru similar thing but diff ages. she had to bring marrige license from 1st hubby and divorce papers to ssa office. they were rude and said come back with better copies. whole thing took like 3 months just to get a answer!!

To add to the previous accurate responses - there's a critical distinction here that affects your strategy: If you were born January 1, 1954 or earlier, you could file a "restricted application" for just the ex-spousal benefits while letting your own retirement benefit grow until 70. However, since you're 62 now, you were born after that cutoff date. This means when you file, you'll automatically be applying for both benefits and just receive whichever is higher. This is due to the deemed filing rule that was changed by the 2015 Bipartisan Budget Act. As for whether your ex needs to be collecting - no, but as mentioned, he needs to be eligible (which at 65, he is). The only requirement is that you must have been divorced for at least 2 years if he hasn't filed for his benefits yet. Regarding your best strategy, it depends on your health, financial needs, and benefit amounts. If you can wait until your FRA (probably around 67), your benefit will be about 30% higher than claiming at 62. If you can wait until 70, it would be 77% higher than at 62. You can create an account at ssa.gov to see your own estimated benefits, but for ex-spouse estimates, you'll need to speak directly with an SSA representative.

Has anyone actually managed to TALK to someone at Social Security lately?? I've been calling for WEEKS and just get the "we're experiencing high call volume" message and then they hang up! So frustrating!

i think ur overthinking this. just go to the ssa office with all ur papers and theyll tell u right there. i did that for my case and it was better than all the online research which just confused me more! social security rules r way too complicated anyways

The rules are RIDICULOUS with ex-spouse benefits!! My friend lost out on THOUSANDS because she didn't understand the remarriage rules. If you remarry at ANY point, you lose benefits from husband #1 WHILE you're married to husband #2. Once that marriage ends (divorce/death), you can go back to claiming on #1's record IF the second marriage ended. But only if you file properly!! The SSA doesn't volunteer this info!!

I just wanted to thank everyone for the helpful responses. I think I understand my options much better now. I'm going to: 1. Finish my current divorce process 2. Try to set up an appointment with SSA (will look into that Claimyr service if I can't get through) 3. Bring documentation for both marriages to get accurate benefit estimates 4. Make a decision about when to file based on the actual numbers It's still confusing, but at least I have a path forward now! I appreciate everyone's help.