Spousal Benefits

Ask Martha

401k Abroad Adult Disabled Child Applying for Benefits Caring for children Child Benefits Child Support Claiming Strategies COLA Death Dependents Disability Disability Disabled Children Divorce Earned Income Earnings Earnings Test Eligibility for Benefits Ex-spousal benefits Family Benefits Foreign Pensions FRA Garnishment General GPO Green Card Income Limits Loans Marriage Medicaid Medicare Minor children Multiple benefits My Social Security Account News & Legislation Overpayment Pensions Railroad Retirement Remarriage Representative Payee Retroactive benefits Roadmap Software Social Security Administration Social Security Benefits Social Security Fairness Act (HR 82) Social Security Terminology Spousal Benefits SSDI SSI Substantial Gainful Activity Survivor Benefits Switching benefits Taxation Teaching Pension Totalization Agreements Underpayment Veterans WEP Withdrawing Application Work Credits Working Working with an RSSA
Or Ask a New Question

I have been married and divorced to the same person twice. Does the SSA require that the ten years be consecutive?

Hi there, The short answer is “yes, sort of!” The “consecutive” part means that the two time periods of the marriages must be in existence in each of the 10 or more consecutive years. Therefore, the second marriage must start within the 12 months after the first divorce. Social Security does require that two people…

Read More

I began collecting Social Security disability when I was married. Is it possible that I am entitled to higher Social Security benefits from my ex-spouse?

Full question: I have a question. I have been collecting Social Security disability for a long time now. At the time I was married and did not recall qualifying for SSI. I really don’t know what is the difference between Social Security disability and SSI, but I have not been married for over eight years….

Read More

Are Social Security spousal benefits reduced by the Government Pension Offset (GPO) if you receive a foreign pension?

Full question: My wife is from Poland. She has a pension from ZUS. She is 68 and retired. She currently receives a small social security check. Will her spousal benefits be reduced by Social Security GPO? Hello, Yes, she will still qualify for full Social Security spousal benefits; her foreign pension will have no bearing…

Read More

Can my ex-wife claim at 62 then suspend so I can collect an ex-spousal benefit based on her earnings record?

Full question: I am divorced, was married for over 10 years and did not remarry. Can my ex-wife at 62 claim and suspend so I can collect 50% of her benefit? And does that effect her benefit? Hello! The ability to file (claim) and suspend Social Security retirement benefits was phased out for couples and…

Read More

Do the young spouse (under age 62) child-in-care benefits apply to ex-spouses just as they do for spouses?

Full question: The spousal benefits to collect for child-in-care benefits applies only to the spouse or the ex-spouse as well? I had a situation where my ex-husband retired and my children got Dependent benefits until they finished high school around 18/19 years old. I never got any benefit. My ex was collecting my children benefits…

Read More

Am I entitled to a benefit based on my ex-spouse’s record if I care for a disabled adult child?

Full question: I am age 60, disabled, retired and receive disability from SSA. My ex-spouse over 20 years is disabled and receives disability from SSA. I have been caring for our disabled son since age 16 and he is now 29 receiving benefits from his dad’s record as a disabled adult. Can I receive benefits…

Read More

< Back