I don't claim to be an expert on Social Security or even a
buff. I am a divorced woman who took Social Security at 62 on
my own record. Some of the strategies which have been
referred to here are loopholes that have been recently closed
by law for most new applicants. Were you born after January
1, 1954? If so, you don't get to play games and milk the
Social Security System as many legally did before. Things
like file and suspend aren't allowed for you. If you were
born before, talk to a qualified financial adviser. Believe
me, they will be happy to tell you about file and suspend.
As for divorced people with a living ex-spouse, my
understanding is that you can claim SS on either your own
record or your spouse's but not both. You also now have to
take the larger amount you are entitled to. At 62 you can get
either 35% of your ex's SS amount or 75% or your full
retirement amount (at 66) whichever is higher. MY ex makes
more than I ever did but my 75% was higher than his 35%. I
live and worked in a state where teachers paid fully into
both SS and the pension system. Our pensions are lower than
yours in CA, however. I took SS at 62. I had lived on just my
pension for 2 years before that, but it was tight and I
didn't want to have to dip into my savings and investments
too much. I decided not to wait until 66(full retirement age)
so I am stuck with and happy with my 75% until my death or my
ex's death.
If my ex should die before me, then I will be entitled to the
equivalent of his SS payment at the time. I can't get both
his and mine. I do get the larger amount. He is planning to
retire and take his SS at 66 (next year) so if he dies before
me (not wishing him gone), I would see a significant increase
in my income. That's why the SS poster told you, your ex is
worth more to you dead than alive.
On 4/02/16, Retired Teacher - S.S. buff wrote:
> On 4/02/16, Jen wrote:
>> I read you post several times and still have questions.
>> Where can I find strategies for divorced spouses? Thank
>> you!
>
> JEN,
>
> Divorced spouses have the same options to maximize or
optimize
> their SS benefits as a married couple--plus some that are
not
> available to the married couple.
>
> You have several types of benefits available--on your own
work
> record, spousal benefits, survivor (widow) benefits. The
> amounts collected vary based on your work record, the work
> record of the ex-spouse and your age when you start them.
All
> these benefits can be taken, but not simultaneously. You
can
> start with one type and later switch to another type after
it
> has grown because of delayed retirement credits.
>
> There are even benefits available to you if you care minor
> children up to age 18 or 20 if still in high school, for
> children who were disabled before age 22, etc.
>
> Some types of benefits might require a person to delay the
> start them which might necessitate working longer or
needing
> to spend down other resources during the delay.
>
> I could give you specific advice for some of these
strategies
> but I would need to know the amount of your PIA (full
> retirement age benefit on your own work record) and the PIA
of
> your ex-spouse, and the birth month/year of you and your
> ex-spouse.
>
> You can find out more about these strategies by visiting
the
> SSA website--but sometimes they are confusing. You could
> google a topic like: social security strategies for
divorced
> spouse.
>
> There are several SS claiming programs with calculators on
the
> internet--some better than others. They can help people
sift
> through the maze of options that are available. Some are
> free. Some have a $40-$50 fee, but are more powerful and
show
> more details and reports.
>
> You don't want to JUST get a benefit...you want to get the
> best benefit and at the best TIME for YOU.
>
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