Ex Spouse death and Social Security
Hi Terry. My ex spouse has passed away at the age of 62. He was not remarried and I am not married either. I am 61 years old. Can I claim a benefit for his social security? I am not planning to retire for about 8/9 more years, so could I collect his in the meantime?
Terry Says
That depends. Were you married at least 10years, and can you prove it? If so, you can get his SS benefit.
BUT– and this is a big BUI — you must be at least 61 (unless caring for a minor child, which doesn’t seem to be the case here), and your benefit is reduced from his full benefit if you are under YOUR full retirement age.
REad this: https://www.ssa.gov/survivor/amount
But note that if you take his benefit as a survivor, when you reach age 70, you could start collecting your own larger benefit.
ALSO, you have to make sure how your application reads — that you are clearly NOT taking the higher of your reduced ex-spousal benefit or your own early benefit. SS often does that, not allowing you to wait until 70.
My suggestion is to go to www.MaximizeMySocialSecurity.com and have them run the numbers and advise you on filing. It costs $49 but iswell worth it!
