How does divorce affect Social Security benefits?
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How does divorce affect Social Security benefits?
If your ex-spouse will also receive a pension based on work not covered by Social Security, such as government work, their Social Security benefit on your record may be affected. The amount of benefits your divorced spouse gets has no effect on the amount of benefits you or your current spouse may receive.
Can my wife collect my Social Security while I’m alive?
You can collect benefits on a spouse’s work record regardless of whether you also worked. If your own retirement benefit is lower than your spousal benefit, Social Security will pay you the higher amount.
Can I file for my Social Security at 62 and switch to spousal benefits later?
In this case, you can claim your own Social Security beginning at 62 and make the switch to spousal benefits when your husband or wife files. That includes if you file early for your retirement benefit — say, at 62, as in this scenario — and switch to spousal benefits later.
What happens if you don’t have enough Social Security credits?
If you don’t have the 40 credits, you don’t draw any retirement. You may not borrow or buy credits from another worker, nor can you earn retirement benefits contingent on future earnings and credits.
