Can I get my ex husband's Social Security if I remarry?

Generally, no, you lose eligibility for your ex-husband's Social Security if you remarry before age 60 (or 50 if disabled), but you might continue if you remarry him, your new spouse gets certain benefits (survivor, divorced spouse, childhood disability), or if your new marriage ends. Your own remarriage ends benefits on a living ex-spouse's record unless specific exceptions apply, requiring you to report the change to the Social Security Administration.

Can a divorced wife collect her ex-husband's Social Security?

Yes, a divorced wife can collect her ex-husband's Social Security if married at least 10 years, is currently unmarried, and the ex is at least 62 (or already receiving benefits) and you've been divorced for 2 years, receiving up to 50% of his benefit, without affecting his or his new spouse's payments. You get the higher of your own or the spousal benefit, and if he dies, you can get survivor benefits.
 

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.
 

Can a wife draw on her husband's Social Security?

Yes, a wife can draw on her husband's Social Security as a spousal benefit, potentially receiving up to 50% of his full retirement amount if she claims at her full retirement age (FRA); she'll get a reduced amount if she claims earlier (as early as 62) or her own earned benefit if it's higher, and this doesn't reduce his payment, but she must be at least 62 and he must be collecting benefits for her to apply, though conditions differ for divorced spouses. 

At what age can I collect my ex-husband's Social Security benefits?

You can start collecting your ex-husband's Social Security benefits as early as age 62, provided you were married for at least 10 years, are currently unmarried, and he is eligible (or already receiving benefits). While you can file at 62, your benefit amount will be higher if you wait until your full retirement age (FRA), which is 67 for those born in 1960 or later, and even more if you delay past FRA, but new rules mean you can't collect just the spousal benefit if you're eligible for your own higher benefit at FRA. 

Can I Remarry on Social Security?

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.

What percentage of Social Security benefits does a divorced spouse get?

You can receive up to 50% of your ex-husband's full Social Security retirement benefit, but the exact percentage depends on when you claim, ranging from around 32.5% if claimed at age 62 up to 50% at your own Full Retirement Age (FRA). This benefit is paid by the Social Security Administration (SSA) based on your ex-spouse's earnings record, provided you were married at least 10 years, are unmarried, and your ex is receiving or eligible for retirement/disability benefits. 

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 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.
 

Can I draw on my ex-husband's Social Security if I remarry?

Yes, but it depends on your age when you remarried; you generally lose eligibility if you remarry before age 60 (or 50 if disabled), but can keep benefits on an ex-husband's record if you remarry after age 60 (or 50 if disabled) and your marriage to him lasted 10+ years, or if your new marriage ends. Remarriage to the same person or remarriage after your ex-spouse dies allows you to continue collecting benefits under specific rules. 

Can I stop my ex-wife from getting my Social Security benefits?

As long as you are at least age 62 and he is at least age 62, you can draw off of him even if he chooses to wait to start his own Social Security at 67 – 70. This is good news when former spouses are not on good terms. Your ex cannot “block” you from drawing your spousal benefit.

Does remarriage affect divorced spouse benefits?

If you receive a benefit off your ex-spouse, it will not reduce their retirement benefit. And if your ex-spouse has remarried, both you and the new spouse may be eligible for spousal and survivor benefits. Benefits paid to you (the ex-spouse) will not affect the benefits of their new spouse.

Why would spousal benefits be denied?

Common reasons for denial:

Your deceased spouse must have earned a certain number of credits for you to qualify for benefits. The SSA offers a handy calculator to determine the required credits. Remarriage before age 60: Remarrying before age 60 usually makes you ineligible for benefits.

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. 

How do I find out my ex-husband's social security benefits?

To find out about your ex-husband's Social Security benefits as a divorced spouse, you must contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) directly, as they handle this confidential information; you'll need his name, date of birth, and Social Security Number (SSN), and your own documents (birth certificate, marriage/divorce papers) to apply for an estimate or benefits at your local SSA office, online, or by phone, and your ex won't be notified. 

How much Social Security will I get if I make $60,000 a year?

If you consistently earn $60,000 annually over your career, you could receive roughly $2,300 to over $2,600 per month at your Full Retirement Age (FRA), depending on the year you retire and the exact formula used (around $2,311 using 2025 bend points for an AIME of $5,000), but this can vary, with lower amounts if you claim early and higher if you delay, with official estimates from the SSA Social Security Administration (SSA) being most accurate. 

Are people on Social Security getting extra money in 2025?

Yes, Social Security recipients received a 2.5% Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2025, effective January 2025, increasing average benefits by about $48 monthly; this was announced in late 2024, with the next COLA for 2026 announced in October 2025. The 2025 increase followed a larger boost in 2024, reflecting lower inflation, and notifications for the 2025 raise were sent out in late 2024. 

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

Yes, a divorced woman can get her ex-husband's Social Security benefits if they were married for at least 10 years, she is unmarried, and she meets age requirements (usually 62+ for spousal, 60+ for survivor), with benefits up to 50% of his amount, or 100% if he dies, without affecting his or his current wife's payments. She receives the higher of her own benefit or the divorced spousal benefit. 

Is it smarter to get the house or retirement money in a divorce?

Divorcing individuals must often choose between homeownership and retirement readiness. The ongoing costs of homeownership may impact your ability to save for retirement each month. In addition, keeping the home in the divorce may mean giving up retirement assets.

How much SS will I get from my ex-husband?

You can get up to 50% of your ex-husband's full Social Security retirement benefit if you file at your own Full Retirement Age (FRA), but it can be reduced to as low as 32.5% if claimed at age 62, and your benefit will be the higher of your own or the spousal amount; eligibility requires marriage for at least 10 years, being currently unmarried (unless widowed or divorced), and your ex being at least 62. 

What is the $1000 a month rule for retirement?

The $1,000 a month retirement rule is a simple guideline stating you need about $240,000 saved for every $1,000 of monthly income you want from your investments in retirement, based on a 5% annual withdrawal rate ($240k x 0.05 / 12 = $1k/month). It's a motivational tool to estimate savings goals (e.g., $3,000/month needs $720k), but it's one-dimensional, doesn't account for inflation, taxes, or other income like Social Security, and assumes steady 5% returns, making a personalized plan essential. 

What is happening on March 31, 2025 with Social Security?

At the conclusion of the transition period, on March 31, 2025, SSA will enforce online digital identity proofing and in-person identity proofing. SSA will permit individuals who do not or cannot use the agency's online “my Social Security” services to start their claim for benefits on the telephone.

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 money can't be touched in a divorce?

Money that can't be touched in a divorce generally falls under separate property: assets owned before marriage, gifts or inheritances (to one spouse), and some post-separation earnings, but only if kept completely separate (not mixed with marital funds) and documented, often protected by prenuptial agreements. Commingling (mixing) separate funds with marital assets, or failing to document gifts/inheritances, can turn untouchable money into marital property subject to division.