February 5, 2010
Social Security has a provision that allows people to claim benefits on an ex-spouse's account, if they were married to that person for 10 years or more. But there are several catches: Scenario No. 1: Ex-spouse is living. First, you CANNOT be currently married. Next, you CANNOT collect on a spousal account unless you are at least 62 yers old (minimum retirement age). There are exceptions if you are caring for a child under age 16 of you ex-spouse. Further, according to Alan Edwards with the Social Security Administration in Portland, your ex-spouse must either be receiving benefits, or entitled to receive them. And finally, if you are less than "full retirement age" (for me that's 66), you must file for benefits based on your own employment (NOT your ex-spouse's). Scenario No. 2: Your ex-spouse is deceased. If you were married more than 10 years to an ex-spouse who is dead, no problem, you CAN take the benefit before your full-retirement age. Reduced survivor benefits are payable at age 60 or as early as age 50, if the survivor is disabled. For women, this can be a big benefit. It's a way to gain retirement income without tapping your own Social Security account until the higher full retirement or even later, taking advantage of "delayed retirement credits." You may also remarry after age 60 and keep the survivors benefit. Scenario No. 3: You've already claimed benefits on your own account. If you have started taking Social Security benefits on your own account and a ex-spouse dies, go back and talk to Social Security. The rules change. You may then be eligible to file a claim on that account before your own full-retirement age. Even if you've been collecting on your own account, you may be able to switch to the spousal account. Scenario No. 4: What about a current husband who dies? Everything changes if you are married and your current husband dies. You only have to be married to this person for nine months to claim Social Security benefits on his account.According to Edwards, there are some exceptions to this rule related to a traumatic or accidental death. Having spent some time at www.socialsecurity.gov, I can say the agency's Web site is generally easy to navigate, but on the topic of spousal benefits, ferreting out the information is a challenge. This is an area of confusion for many women. If your 60 & Single you're wondering or worrying about what you might be able to claim on an ex-spouse's account, don't wait. Go find out where you stand and learn what your benefit options are from a Social Security Administration expert. For answers or to set up an appointment, call Social Security's toll-free number at 800-772-1213. My personal meeting this week was extremely helpful. I know what my options are and what to expect. Every case is different and what you might have heard from a friend, or from a financial adviser or even have read in the newspaper may not be accurate.
