Full question: I am divorced over 10 years now. I am 65 divorced, single and my full retirement will be Nov 2027 and I have not filed for Social Security as of yet. My ex spouse will be 62 in Sept 2025. I meet all the required for ex Spouse benefits. Question 1 can I file for ex spousal benefits and not file my own benefits (Im currently planning to wait till 2027 when i meet full age)? Question 2 In any case how can i figure out what my benefit based on my ex spouse as I already have login account and can see what my personal benefit would be but cannot see what it would be based on ex spouse which may influence my decision when to file for Social Security?

Hi there,

Thank you for reaching out with your questions regarding Social Security benefits.

Question 1: No, you can’t file for ex-spousal benefits without filing for your own retirement benefits. When you file, you are deemed to be filing for all the benefits you are entitled to, your own retirement benefits and ex-spousal benefits, and will receive the higher of the two amounts.

Question 2: To determine the benefit amount you would receive based on your ex-spouse’s record, you would need to contact the Social Security Administration directly. By providing them with critical details, such as their birthdate and place of birth, and the dates of your marriage and divorce, they can provide you with the potential ex-spousal benefit amount. Unfortunately, this information is not available in your online Social Security account because it is based on your ex-spouse’s earnings record.

For more detailed information and to discuss your specific situation, it’s best to contact the Social Security Administration directly or consult with a Registered Social Security Analyst (RSSA). You can find an RSSA here.

Best of luck,
Martha

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