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

No, you generally cannot stop your ex-wife from receiving Social Security benefits on your record if she qualifies, as these clauses in divorce decrees are not enforced by the Social Security Administration (SSA). Eligibility for divorced-spouse benefits depends on marriage length (10+ years) and her being unmarried, not your agreement, and payments to her do not reduce your own benefits or your current spouse's.

Can my ex-wife collect my Social Security?

Yes, your ex-wife may be able to collect Social Security benefits from your record if your marriage lasted at least 10 years, she's unmarried and age 62+, and you're eligible for benefits, with her receiving up to 50% of your benefit, but it doesn't reduce your or your current spouse's benefits. She generally can't collect until you've filed for your own benefits or for two years after your divorce, and the payments won't notify you. 

How to find out if ex-spouse is collecting Social Security?

How can I find out if a former spouse is collecting Social Security benefits on my record? You ask the Social Security Administration. It can tell you the name of any “auxiliary beneficiary,” including an ex-husband or ex-wife who is drawing or has drawn benefits on your earnings record.

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. 

Why would my ex-wife need my social security number?

Many people may be eligible for a higher benefit based on their ex-spouse's work, especially if their ex-spouse is deceased. When you apply, you'll need to give your ex-spouse's SSN. If you don't know your ex-spouse's number, you'll need to provide their date and place of birth and the names of their parents.

How Divorced Social Security Spousal Benefits Work

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

In your divorce agreement you may have given up the right to his retirement account from his work, but you can never give up the right to draw Social Security. Remember, drawing a Spousal benefit won't reduce the amount your ex spouse can get! It doesn't hurt your ex or his current spouse at all.

Who do you legally have to give your social security number to?

These agencies include DMV, welfare offices, and tax agencies. Look for the required "disclosure" form. The form should state if giving the number is required or optional, how it will be used, and the agency's legal authority to ask for it.

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 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 disqualifies you from Social Security?

You can be disqualified from Social Security for insufficient work history (not enough credits), earning too much income (especially for SSI/Disability), having a non-disabling condition, failing to follow prescribed treatment, substance abuse as the primary cause of disability, incarceration, or moving to certain countries. Eligibility depends on the benefit type (retirement, disability, SSI), but common disqualifiers involve not meeting work credits or income/resource limits. 

What percent of Social Security does a divorced spouse get?

A divorced spouse can get up to 50% of their ex-spouse's Social Security benefit if they wait until their own full retirement age (FRA) to claim, but this amount is permanently reduced to as low as 32.5% if claimed at age 62, with incremental increases for each month delayed to FRA. Eligibility requires the marriage to have lasted at least 10 years, the couple must be divorced for at least two years, and the divorced spouse must be unmarried and at least 62. 

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. 

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.
 

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. 

How long do you have to be married to a man to get his Social Security?

To get spousal Social Security, you generally must have been married for at least one continuous year, but exceptions exist, especially for divorced spouses who need a 10-year marriage, or if you're caring for your spouse's young/disabled child. You must also be at least 62 (or younger if caring for a qualifying child), and your spouse must be collecting their own retirement benefits (unless you are widowed). 

What are the rules for collecting your spouse's Social Security?

To collect your spouse's Social Security, you generally must be at least 62 (or any age if caring for a qualifying child under 16 or disabled) and your spouse must already be receiving their own benefits; you'll get the higher amount of your own earned benefit or up to 50% of your spouse's benefit, but claiming early reduces the spousal amount, and you can even collect as a divorced spouse if married at least 10 years and meet other rules.
 

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. 

What is the highest monthly Social Security you can get?

The maximum monthly Social Security benefit in 2026 is $5,251 if you wait until age 70 to claim, while at full retirement age (FRA) it's $4,152, and at age 62, it's $2,969, all requiring 35 years of maximum taxable earnings. These amounts are for those retiring in 2026, with higher earnings thresholds and Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLAs) increasing benefits annually. 

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. 

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 $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 the new Social Security law just passed?

Changes in Law

On January 5, 2025, the Social Security Fairness Act (HR 82) addressing the WEP and GPO was signed into law by President Biden. This act removes the reduction in Social Security benefits for those receiving pensions from employment where Social Security taxes were not withheld.

Who should you not give your SSN to?

Most of the time, it's OK to say no to schools, doctor's offices, sports clubs and many other organizations that may ask for this nine-digit identifier. In fact, safeguarding SSNs is a key first step to protecting against identity theft and other fraud.

How do you put a lock on your Social Security number?

You can "lock" your Social Security Number (SSN) primarily through the Department of Homeland Security's myE-Verify system, which blocks its use for employment verification to prevent job fraud, or by contacting the Social Security Administration (SSA) to prevent electronic access to your account for general fraud. Locking via E-Verify involves creating an account, answering security questions, and activating the "Self Lock" feature, while contacting the SSA requires calling them to request a block on electronic access to your records.