Can a woman collect Social Security from two ex husbands?

Yes, a woman can potentially collect Social Security benefits from two (or more) ex-husbands if each marriage lasted at least 10 years and she meets other SSA requirements, but she can only receive the higher of the two potential benefits, not both payments simultaneously, though multiple ex-spouses can collect from the same earner's record without affecting each other's payments. The Social Security Administration (SSA) will compare the records to determine the maximum benefit she's entitled to.

Can you collect Social Security from two ex-husbands?

If you've been married multiple times, your current and former spouses could be eligible for Social Security benefits based on your earnings record, subject to certain requirements.

What is one of the biggest mistakes people make regarding Social Security?

Claiming Benefits Too Early

One of the biggest mistakes people make is claiming Social Security benefits as soon as they're eligible, which is at age 62. While getting money sooner can be tempting, claiming early has a significant downside: your monthly benefit will be reduced.

How much Social Security does a divorced woman get from her ex-husband?

An ex-wife can get up to 50% of her ex-spouse's full Social Security benefit if she claims at her full retirement age (FRA), or as little as 32.5% if claimed at age 62, but she gets the higher of her own benefit or the ex-spousal benefit, and the ex-spouse won't be notified. To qualify, the marriage must have lasted at least 10 years, she must be unmarried (unless caring for a qualifying child), and the ex-spouse must be receiving benefits. 

Does my wife's Social Security affect mine?

Yes, your wife's Social Security benefits can affect yours, but not by reducing your own earnings-based benefit; instead, if she claims a spousal benefit on your record, she'll get the higher of her own or the spousal amount, and your earnings might impact her potential benefit if she's working under Full Retirement Age (FRA) and hits an earnings limit, but your payment to her as a spouse doesn't decrease your core benefit, though you can't get both your own and a spousal benefit, only the higher of the two. 

Social Security Rules for Divorced Spouses (Complete Guide)

What is the new law for Social Security spousal benefits?

The biggest recent change for spousal benefits is the Social Security Fairness Act (SSFA) of 2023, effective January 2024, which eliminates the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) for many, meaning spouses and survivors with government pensions won't have their benefits reduced as much, if at all. Key rules remain: spouses can get up to 50% of the primary earner's benefit, can claim at 62 (with reductions), or care for a qualifying child (no reduction). Deemed filing still means applying for one benefit usually means applying for both.
 

Do I have to wait for my ex-husband to retire to get his Social Security?

You can claim even if your ex hasn't retired and isn't receiving Social Security benefits (as long as your ex is at least 62 and you've been divorced at least 2 years).

Can my ex-wife take my social security if I remarry?

Yes, your ex-wife can get your Social Security benefits even if you remarry, as long as she meets eligibility rules (married 10+ years, unmarried, age 62+) and your benefit is higher than her own, because divorced spouse benefits are based on your record, not your new spouse's. Remarriage typically ends these benefits, but exceptions exist, and she can still claim survivor benefits on your record if you pass away, even if you're remarried (if she's 60+, or 50+ if disabled). 

Can I stop my ex-wife from getting my social security?

This is good news when former spouses are not on good terms. Your ex cannot “block” you from drawing your spousal benefit. In fact, he probably won't even know if you are drawing off him unless he calls SSA to ask.

What is the social security spousal benefits loophole?

The "Social Security spousal benefits loophole" referred to strategies like "file and suspend" and "restricted application" that allowed couples to maximize benefits by having the higher earner suspend their own claim (after full retirement age) so the lower earner could claim a spousal benefit, while the higher earner's benefit grew, but these were largely closed by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 for most new applicants, making it harder to get spousal benefits without also claiming your own. A separate, lesser-known "loophole" exists for caregivers of disabled children, allowing a parent (often the mother) to receive spousal benefits earlier than usual.
 

How much do you have to make to get $3,000 a month in Social Security?

To get around $3,000/month in Social Security, you generally need a high earning history, around $100,000-$108,000+ annually over your top 35 years, but waiting to claim until age 70 maximizes this amount, potentially reaching it with lower yearly earnings, say under $70k if you wait long enough, as benefits are based on your highest indexed earnings over 35 years. The exact amount depends heavily on your specific earnings history and the age you start collecting benefits. 

What is the number one regret of retirees?

Among the biggest mistakes retirees make is not adjusting their expenses to their new budget in retirement. Those who have worked for many years need to realize that dining out, clothing and entertainment expenses should be reduced because they are no longer earning the same amount of money as they were while working.

What are the three ways you can lose your Social Security?

You can lose Social Security benefits by working while collecting early, leading to earnings limits; incarceration, which suspends payments; or through garnishment for federal debts like taxes, student loans, or child support, along with other factors like remarriage or changes in disability status. 

How long do you have to be married to claim your spouse's Social Security?

To collect your spouse's Social Security, you generally must have been married for at least one continuous year, be age 62 or older (or caring for a qualifying child), and your spouse must be receiving benefits (unless you're a widow/widower). The one-year rule has exceptions, like if you're the parent of the worker's child, and for divorced spouses, the requirement is a 10-year marriage. 

Does a divorced woman get her ex-husband's Social Security?

A divorced woman's Social Security benefit can be based on her ex-husband's earnings alone, her deceased husband's or deceased ex-husband's earnings alone, her own earnings alone, or a combination of earnings.

Why does Social Security ask about previous marriages?

We will use the information you give us about your prior marriage along with your other responses to decide if you or your ex-spouse can receive benefits on the other's record. For more information about divorced spouse's benefits for: you, read "If you are divorced."

Can two wives collect Social Security from one husband if they?

Yes, multiple wives (current and/or ex-spouses) can collect Social Security survivor benefits from one deceased husband's record, as long as they meet specific eligibility rules (like marriage duration and age) and don't affect each other's payments, with each receiving up to 100% of his benefit, though total family benefits have a cap. 

How do I find out how much my ex-husband's Social Security benefits are?

To find out your ex-husband's potential Social Security benefit amount, create a my Social Security account at ssa.gov/myaccount/, use the "Calculate a benefit for a current or former spouse" tool, or contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) directly, as they can provide estimates based on his earnings record, but you'll need your marriage/divorce documents and potentially his SSN. 

Can I collect my deceased ex-husband's Social Security if I'm married?

Can I receive a survivor benefit if my ex-spouse is deceased? Yes, you are eligible for a survivor benefit if you are age 60 or older and you are unmarried or you remarried after age 60.

Can I lose my Social Security benefits in a divorce?

In other words, while Social Security itself doesn't get split, it can still shape how both of you negotiate a balanced agreement that helps ensure both parties can be financially stable after the divorce.

Can my ex-wife get my Social Security if I remarry?

Yes, your ex-wife can get your Social Security benefits even if you remarry, as long as she meets eligibility rules (married 10+ years, unmarried, age 62+) and your benefit is higher than her own, because divorced spouse benefits are based on your record, not your new spouse's. Remarriage typically ends these benefits, but exceptions exist, and she can still claim survivor benefits on your record if you pass away, even if you're remarried (if she's 60+, or 50+ if disabled). 

Can my ex-wife claim my retirement years after divorce?

Yes, in most states, your wife can get a portion of your retirement savings in a divorce, especially funds accumulated during the marriage, as they're considered marital property. This typically involves splitting 401(k)s, pensions, and IRAs, often using a special court order called a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) to legally divide the assets, allowing her to take her share as a payout or rollover. 

At what age am I entitled to my ex-husband's Social Security?

You must be age 62 or older. If your ex is deceased, you can collect at age 60 as a surviving divorced spouse.

What are the three ways you can lose your Social Security benefits?

You can lose Social Security benefits by working while collecting early, leading to earnings limits; incarceration, which suspends payments; or through garnishment for federal debts like taxes, student loans, or child support, along with other factors like remarriage or changes in disability status. 

Can you collect both spousal benefits and your own Social Security?

Yes, both you and your spouse can collect Social Security, either on your own earnings records or by claiming a spousal benefit, and you'll receive the higher of the two amounts if you're eligible for both, with spousal benefits potentially reaching up to 50% of your spouse's primary benefit if claimed at your full retirement age. Claiming strategies can differ, with one spouse often waiting longer to maximize benefits for the household.