Will I get reduced Social Security spousal benefits from my ex-husband who's turning 64 when I'm at FRA?

Your ex's age doesn't affect your spousal benefit amount as long as YOU file at your FRA. The reduction only applies if YOU file before your own FRA. Also, your ex doesn't need to have filed for his own benefits for you to claim divorced spouse benefits, as long as you've been divorced for at least 2 years and he's eligible for benefits (even if he hasn't applied yet). You'll receive 50% of his PIA (Primary Insurance Amount) if you file at your FRA, regardless of when he files or what age he is.

I WISH SOMEONE HAD TOLD ME THIS EARLIER!! I waited almost 2 years for my ex to file before I learned I could have been collecting all along!! The SSA reps gave me WRONG information twice about this. Make sure you bring the specific rule with you when you go to your appointment - they confuse divorced spouse benefits with current spouse benefits all the time. For current spouses, yes, your husband usually has to file first, but NOT for divorced spouses!!!

Just to add a bit more detail - you can file for divorced spouse benefits if: 1) Your marriage lasted at least 10 years, 2) You're currently unmarried, 3) You're at least 62, 4) Your ex is eligible for benefits (even if not collecting yet), and 5) You've been divorced for at least 2 years OR your ex is already receiving benefits. Since you'll be at your FRA, you'll get the full 50% of his PIA. His age or filing status doesn't affect your amount at all. His benefits aren't reduced when you file either - he'll never even know you've applied.

When I went through this last year, I tried calling SSA for weeks and couldn't get through to ask these same questions. I finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an agent in about 20 minutes instead of waiting on hold for hours. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU. It was so worth it because the agent confirmed exactly what others are saying here - your benefit won't be reduced if YOU are at FRA, regardless of your ex's age or whether he's filed yet.

my situation was kinda like urs but backwards. i filed early at 63 but my ex husband waited till his FRA. i got reduced benefits cuz of MY age but i still got some of his higher benefit. just make sure ur ex worked enuff to qualify for SS benefits in general

One thing to remember is that when you file, you'll automatically receive the higher of either your own retirement benefit or the divorced spouse benefit. If your own benefit is higher, that's what you'll get. But if the spousal benefit is higher, you'll get your benefit plus the difference to equal the spousal benefit. Social Security doesn't let you choose one or the other - they just pay the higher amount.

Just to clarify what @profile6 mentioned - you'd get your own $1,625 in that scenario. But if the numbers were reversed (if your benefit was $1,450 and 50% of his was $1,625), you'd get $1,625 total (not $1,450 plus $1,625). Many people misunderstand this part. The actual calculation is that you get your benefit amount, plus the difference needed to reach the higher amount if the spousal benefit is greater.

My friend tried to do this but found out her ex had barely worked under social security because he was a teacher with a pension. She ended up getting almost nothing from his record. Do you know if your ex worked consistently under Social Security?

One final tip - when you do file, make sure to specifically tell SSA you want to file for divorced spouse benefits. Sometimes they don't check automatically even though they should. Bring your marriage certificate and divorce decree to your appointment. You might also need his Social Security number, but if you don't have it, SSA can usually find it with his name and date of birth.