Ex-Spouse Benefits
Dear Terry,
I was married to my ex-wife for 11 years. I remarried, but unfortunately divorced again.
Can I collect SS under my first wife?
Terry Says
Interesting question, and I had to think twice! But yes, if you are divorced and age 62, and were married for more than 10 years, you can collect as much as 50% of your ex-spouse’s benefit — assuming that is larger than your own benefit. Oh, and you must be divorced (from your second spouse) for at least two years before collecting.
Also, after you reach full retirement age, you can elect to receive only the divorced spouse benefits and delay benefits on your own record, which may mean a higher monthly amount for you.
Read this from the SS website: https://blog.ssa.gov/ex-spouse-benefits-and-you/
