What documents do I need for ex-spouse Social Security benefits matrix printout?

You're on the right track with the documents, but there's a bit more to it. You'll need certified copies of both your marriage license and divorce decree, but also have your ex's SSN handy if possible (though they can look it up if you provide his full name and date of birth). The benefit comparison printout (what some call a "matrix") can technically be requested by phone, but honestly, getting through to SSA by phone these days is a nightmare. If you want this done efficiently, I'd recommend scheduling an in-person appointment. The online comparison tool on the SSA website doesn't fully account for ex-spouse benefits in all scenarios. Since you were married well over the required 10 years and have been divorced more than 2 years, you qualify for ex-spouse benefits without him having to file first, which is good news.

i got one of these printouts last yr but they didn't call it a matrix, they just said benefit estimate comparisons. had to go in person after trying phone for WEEKS. bring everything!!! birth certificate too and ur ss card. they ALWAYS want more documents than they tell u on the phone!!!

Just to clarify something important here - what you're looking for is actually called a "benefit comparison point calculation" or sometimes an "AERO computation" - not everyone at SSA knows what you mean by "matrix printout" (that's unofficial terminology some financial advisors use). For ex-spouse benefits, you'll definitely need: - Certified marriage certificate - Certified divorce decree - Your birth certificate - Your Social Security card - A photo ID While you technically can request this by phone, I successfully used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to SSA without the endless waiting. They have a service that gets you connected to a real person at SSA usually within 20 minutes instead of waiting hours or getting disconnected. Check out their demo: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU With your documents ready and a proper connection to SSA, you can often get preliminary numbers over the phone, then they'll mail you the official computation. For something as important as ex-spouse benefits comparison, having the actual agent walk you through the numbers is invaluable.

Why even bother with your ex's record? Just claim your own benefits and be done with it! My sister wasted MONTHS trying to get benefits on her ex's record and it was only like $50 more a month. Not worth the headache!

Has anyone else noticed how SS reps give different answers depending on who you talk to? I went through this exact process last year and the first person told me I couldn't get ex-spouse benefits until my ex retired (WRONG). Second person gave me accurate info. Make sure you talk to someone who really knows the rules about divorced spouse benefits!

This brings back memories from when I tried getting proper benefit calculations. Let me tell you MY STORY with this... went to SSA office with EVERY document I could think of. Marriage cert, divorce papers, birth cert, even tax returns! Got there at 8:15am (they open at 9) and STILL waited until 11:30 to see someone!!!! Then they told me the system was DOWN and to come back tomorrow!!! WASTED MY ENTIRE MORNING!!! The phone system is IMPOSSIBLE - I called 14 times in one day and either got disconnected or was on hold for hours. System is BROKEN!!! FINALLY got my benefit comparison but only because my neighbor's daughter works at SSA and helped me. If you don't know someone on the inside good luck!!!!!

Just wanted to say that once you get your benefit comparison, make sure you understand the impact of claiming early vs. waiting. I claimed at 62 on my ex's record and now regret it. Would have gotten 30% more if I'd waited until my FRA. No one explained that clearly to me at the time.

One quick tip - take detailed notes during any conversation with SSA. I always write down the date, time, name of the person I spoke with, and what they told me. Saved me multiple times when different reps gave conflicting info!