Which wife gets my Social Security?

The wife who gets Social Security is usually the one whose own benefit (from her work record) is higher, or if lower, she gets a spousal benefit (up to 50% of her husband's) or widow's benefit (up to 100% of deceased husband's) if it's more than her own, ensuring she receives the highest possible amount from the available options, not both, but a combined total if dually entitled. Divorced wives married 10+ years and widows can also claim benefits on an ex-spouse's record under specific conditions.

Do both you and your wife get Social Security?

Yes, both a husband and wife can receive Social Security, either from their own work records or through spousal benefits, with the Social Security Administration (SSA) paying the higher amount if they qualify for both, ensuring they get the most money possible, typically up to 50% of the higher earner's benefit. A working spouse gets their own earned benefit, while a non-working or lower-earning spouse can claim up to half the other's benefit, usually starting at age 62, or caring for a young child, with benefits increasing if they wait until their Full Retirement Age (FRA).
 

When a husband dies, does the wife get his Social Security and hers?

No, a widow generally doesn't get both her own Social Security and her husband's; she receives the higher of the two amounts, either her own retirement benefit or the survivor benefit (up to 100% of his benefit if she's at full retirement age), but not a combined total, though she can sometimes get her own benefit plus a top-up if it's less than his, or choose the higher one to maximize income, especially if she delays her own claim. 

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.

Do stay at home wives get Social Security?

Yes, housewives (or homemakers) can receive Social Security benefits through spousal benefits based on their working spouse's earnings record, even with little or no work history of their own, typically up to 50% of the spouse's primary benefit amount, though it's reduced if claimed before full retirement age. They must be married at least one continuous year (or have a qualifying child) and generally must be at least 62, but they can't receive more than their own potential benefit, and if the working spouse dies, they can switch to a potentially higher widow's benefit.
 

Social Security Spousal Benefits Made Easy: 5 Things You Need to Know

Can my wife collect my Social Security while I'm alive?

Yes, your wife can collect a spousal Social Security benefit on your record while you're alive, provided you're already receiving your own Social Security retirement or disability benefits, she's at least 62 (or any age caring for a young/disabled child), and you've been married at least a year. She'll receive up to 50% of your full benefit, but if she's eligible for her own, she gets the higher of the two amounts. 

Can two wives collect Social Security from one husband?

Yes, two wives (a current wife and an eligible ex-wife) can potentially collect Social Security benefits from one husband's earnings record, provided each meets separate criteria, like marriage duration and age, and they claim survivor or divorced spouse benefits, with each receiving the higher of their own or the spousal/survivor benefit, without reducing the other's amount. 

What percentage of my Social Security is my ex-wife entitled to?

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.

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). 

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). 

Can I collect spousal Social Security and then switch to my own?

You generally cannot claim spousal benefits at your Full Retirement Age (FRA) and then switch to your own higher retirement benefit if you were born after January 1, 1954, due to "deemed filing" rules, which make you apply for both and get the higher amount. However, you can switch if you were born before 1954, or if you are switching from a deceased spouse's survivor benefit to your own higher retirement benefit, or if you start your own lower benefit and wait to switch to a higher spousal benefit (if applicable). 

What is the first thing you should do when your husband dies?

The very first things to do when your husband dies are to ensure your safety, get a legal pronouncement of death (from a doctor/medical professional), and notify immediate family/close friends, while also securing important documents and allowing yourself time to grieve, before tackling financial or legal paperwork. Focus on immediate needs and seeking support, letting trusted people help with the overwhelming tasks that follow, like contacting funeral homes or advisors. 

At what age do you get 100% of your Social Security?

You get 100% of your Social Security benefit at your Full Retirement Age (FRA), which is 67 for anyone born in 1960 or later, while for those born earlier, it gradually increases from 66 (for those born 1943-1954) up to age 67, with specific ages like 66 and 8 months for 1958 or 66 and 10 months for 1959, but delaying past FRA increases your monthly payment up to age 70. 

Does a widow get 100% of her husband's Social Security?

Yes, you can get up to 100% of your deceased husband's Social Security benefit if you've reached your own Full Retirement Age (FRA) for survivors (age 67 for most); otherwise, you'll get a reduced amount (starting around 71.5% at age 60) or a full benefit if caring for a young child, with the exact amount depending on your age, his earnings, and when he claimed. 

What is the best Social Security strategy for married couples?

Social Security tips for couples

• A couple with similar incomes and ages and long life expectancies may want to consider maximizing lifetime benefits by both delaying their claim.
• For couples with big differences in earnings, consider claiming the spousal benefit, which may be better than claiming your own.

Can I collect my ex-husband's Social Security and my own?

Yes, you can collect benefits from your own Social Security record and potentially your ex-husband's, but the Social Security Administration (SSA) pays you the higher of the two amounts, not a combination; if your own benefit is higher, you get that, but if your ex's spousal benefit (up to 50% of his) is greater, they'll pay you that amount, with rules differing slightly based on your birth year (born before Jan 2, 1954, offered more choices). Key requirements include being divorced, married at least 10 years, and being unmarried yourself, with benefits not affecting your ex's payments. 

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.

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. 

Does my ex-wife still get half of my retirement if she remarries?

No. 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 do I only get half of my ex-husband's Social Security?

Social Security benefits for a divorced spouse are calculated based on the ex-spouse's earnings record or their own earnings record, depending on which one is higher. You're entitled to half of your ex's benefits if you start collecting once you reach your full retirement age (FRA).

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

Yes, a divorced woman can get Social Security benefits from an ex-husband's record if their marriage lasted at least 10 years, she is currently unmarried, is age 62 or older, and her own benefit is less than what she'd get from his record, even if he's remarried. The benefits are paid on his record, but don't affect his payments, and she receives the greater amount of either her own or his benefit, up to 50% of his full amount. 

Can my wife take Social Security at 62 and then switch to spousal benefit?

No, generally your wife can't claim her own reduced benefit at 62 and then switch to a higher spousal benefit later because of the "deemed filing" rule for those born after January 1954; she'll automatically receive the higher of the two available benefits (her own or spousal) when she applies, but the switch strategy (taking her own early and switching) is possible only if she's collecting a survivor benefit or if her spouse hasn't filed yet, allowing her to claim her own benefit and then switch to the spousal one later when you file. 

How long does a wife need to be married to collect her husband's Social Security benefit?

Qualifying spouse beneficiaries must be married to the retiring spouse for at least one continuous year prior to applying for benefits, with certain exceptions.

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.

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.