Can my ex wife collect on 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).

When can an ex-spouse collect Social Security?

An ex-spouse can collect Social Security benefits if the marriage lasted at least 10 years, the ex-spouse is unmarried and age 62 or older, and your divorce has been final for at least two years (unless you're already collecting). They can get up to 50% of your benefit amount (at their Full Retirement Age), and their benefit doesn't reduce yours. A surviving divorced spouse (if the ex dies) can collect at 60, or 50 if disabled, or any age if caring for your young/disabled child. 

Can I get Social Security from my ex-husband if I remarry?

No, once you remarry you are no longer entitled to your ex-husbands social security benefits .

Can I prevent my ex-wife from getting my Social Security?

Without a court order requiring your ex-spouse to apply for Social Security benefits, you cannot force her to do so. Continuing alimony payments may be necessary unless modified by the court. To change this, consider filing a petition to modify alimony based on retirement and eligibility for Social Security benefits.

How long do you have to report a marriage to Social Security?

You must report your marriage to the Social Security Administration (SSA) by the 10th day of the month after it happened to avoid penalties, especially if you receive benefits like SSI, Survivor, or Spousal benefits, as marriage can affect them; for name changes, wait at least 30 days after the wedding for state records to update before applying for a new card, but report the marriage status change promptly for benefit purposes. 

Can I Remarry on Social Security?

What happens if you don't report your marriage to Social Security?

If you don't report your marriage to the Social Security Administration (SSA), you risk overpayments that you'll have to pay back, benefit reductions or suspensions, penalties, and potential sanctions, as your marital status affects benefit amounts for programs like SSI, SSDI, and spousal/survivor benefits. The SSA can discover the marriage through data matching, leading to retroactive adjustments, and knowingly failing to report can result in serious penalties, including longer benefit stoppages. 

Can two ex-wives collect husband's Social Security?

Yes, two (or more) ex-wives can collect benefits on a husband's Social Security record, as long as each marriage lasted at least 10 years and they meet other eligibility rules (like being unmarried themselves when they claim, or claiming survivor benefits after his death). Each ex-spouse receives their own benefit, which is the higher of their own earned amount or the divorced-spouse benefit, and it doesn't reduce payments to other spouses or ex-spouses. 

How much will my ex-wife get from my Social Security?

The maximum ex-spousal benefit is up to 50% of the higher earner's benefit and capped at their full retirement age (FRA) amount, also known as the Primary Insurance Amount or PIA. Most will get a higher benefit based on their own record, rather than an ex-spouse's.

Does an ex-wife get her ex-husband's Social Security when he dies?

Yes, you can get your ex-husband's Social Security benefits if you were married at least 10 years, are currently unmarried, and are at least 60 (or 50 if disabled) when you apply, receiving up to 100% of his benefit amount, which is often more than your own retirement benefit. You must apply with the Social Security Administration (SSA) and provide documents like the death certificate and your divorce decree. 

What is the Social Security spousal benefits loophole?

The main Social Security spousal benefit loopholes (file-and-suspend & restricted application) were closed by the 2015 Bipartisan Budget Act, affecting most people, but a specific "loophole" allows a caregiver spouse to claim benefits early if caring for a disabled or young child, bypassing normal age/filing rules, though this is a legitimate SSA provision for caregivers, not a true exploit, with benefits subject to family maximums.
 

Will getting remarried affect my Social Security benefits?

When you remarry, your own retirement or disability benefits (based on your work record) usually continue unaffected, but receiving benefits as a surviving spouse (widow/widower) or divorced spouse on a former spouse's record generally stops unless you remarry after age 60 (or 50 if disabled). Remarriage after these ages doesn't end survivor benefits, but it might shift you to a different, potentially lower, spousal benefit on your new spouse's record if that's more generous. Always report your remarriage to the Social Security Administration (SSA) promptly. 

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. 

What are the requirements to draw your ex-husband's Social Security?

Who is eligible for an ex-spouse's Social Security benefits?

• You were married to that spouse for 10 years or more and have been divorced for at least 2 years (only applies if that spouse isn't claiming yet).
• You're at least 62 years old.
• You're currently unmarried.

Will I lose my ex-husband's Social Security if I remarry?

Yes, in most cases, remarrying will end your eligibility for Social Security benefits on your ex-husband's record, as you become a "current spouse" to your new partner and must claim from their record (if eligible) or your own; however, there are exceptions, like if you remarry after age 60 (or 50 if disabled) and your ex-husband is deceased, or in very specific situations involving your new spouse's benefits. You must report any remarriage to the Social Security Administration (SSA) to ensure correct payments. 

Can a divorced man collect his ex-wife's Social Security?

Yes, an ex-husband can collect Social Security benefits on an ex-wife's record, provided certain conditions are met, such as the marriage lasting at least 10 years, the ex-husband being unmarried and at least 62, and the ex-wife being eligible for her own Social Security benefits. The benefit is generally up to 50% of the ex-wife's full retirement amount, and it doesn't affect her benefits or those of a current spouse. 

What is an ex-wife entitled to when her ex-husband dies?

If your ex-husband passes away, you may be eligible for survivor benefits based on his work record. The eligibility requirements for survivor benefits are similar to those for Social Security benefits, with a few key differences: Your marriage must have lasted at least ten years before the divorce was finalized.

Can you stop your ex-wife from getting your Social Security?

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.

Who is eligible for divorced spousal benefits?

DEFINITION: Divorced spousal beneficiaries are individuals receiving all or part of their Social Security retirement or disability benefits from their ex-spouses' earnings records. Individuals are eligible for divorced spousal benefits if their marriage to their ex-spouse lasted for at least 10 years.

How do I know if my ex-wife is collecting my Social Security?

SSA will not disclose if your ex spouse is receiving benefits unless they are receiving in on your record. You can call and ask if anyone is drawing off your ssn.

Can I collect my ex-husband's Social Security if it's more than mine?

Although more and more women are in the workforce, many can receive a larger Social Security benefit based on their ex-spouse's work record than they would on their own. The Social Security Administration will calculate each benefit for you, and you will receive whichever is the higher amount.

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 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 is the marriage penalty in Social Security?

The Social Security marriage penalty primarily affects the needs-based Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, where a spouse's income is "deemed" to the recipient, potentially reducing or eliminating benefits, and a married couple gets less than two single individuals cohabitating. For Social Security retirement/disability (SSDI), there's generally no penalty for working couples, as each receives their own earned benefit, but spousal/survivor benefits can be affected if a recipient remarries or if a widow(er) remarries before a certain age (historically), though recent changes address some of these. 

Why do you have to wait 30 days after marriage to change Social Security?

They should wait at least 30 days after the date of the marriage to request a replacement card with a name change. This allows the state time to update its records. They will need to have their marriage certificate and proof of identification available when using our online application.

How much of my ex-husband's Social Security will I get?

You can get up to 50% of your ex-husband's full Social Security retirement benefit if you wait until your own Full Retirement Age (FRA), but the amount is reduced (as low as 32.5%) if you claim earlier (starting at age 62). You'll receive the higher of your own benefit or the spousal benefit, and your ex's benefit isn't reduced, even if he remarries. Key requirements: marriage lasted 10+ years, you're unmarried, and you're at least 62 (or caring for his child under 16/disabled).