Call or go to a social security office. They are very helpful. Also visit their site to get an idea.

Others may have information for you here, but I urge you to make an appointment at your local SS office to get the correct information. Each person's circumstances vary, and the system is fairly complicated. We've had 3-4 appointments at our local office, and the people we met with are professional and knowledgeable. It's not like DMV.

Social security rules are complex, with all sorts of caveats, exceptions, and so on. Read the real deal yourself, and then talk to them if you have questions.
There is inexpensive software you can purchase that will help you maximize your social security. There may be freeware as well. It does not hurt to read, ask, and check.

Here is a link that might be useful: Social Security

If you are planning an 'in person' visit to a Social Security office, sooner may be better than later.

Here is a link that might be useful: Social Security Offices

Any spouse of at least ten years can claim on his or her spouse's social security. (Always makes me wonder whose SS is benefiting the greatest number of spouses.)

Doesn't matter if you are wife # 1, # 2, or #3 ...as long as you were married to him for at leat 10 years. All could apply & receive SS on his work record, assuming of course that he worked & paid into SS the required # of quarters. Also doesn't matter if he is dead or alive & your drawing on his SS doesn't affect the amount he will receive nor any of his X's or current wife. Agree with recommendations to go to SS & talk to them, but also bone up & get knowledgeable yourself...sometimes local SS offices do give out erroneous info.

If you yourself paid into SS, your benefit could possibly be a combination of yours & his. There are many ways to slice & dice it & you may or may not want to delay taking yours or his.

Here is a link that might be useful: Social Secuity...read up on it

If he's in England, is he even still paying into SS?

Good luck dealing with SSA for those happy times ahead.

I have heard some interesting discussions on SS on the radio with experts, callers, and a financial matters host. You need an office visit. Then you need to do the math. How much will you get if you start benefits at 62 if you claim only your SS? If you claim only his SS? How much will you get if you wait till full retirement if you do not claim your SS till then? If you wait and do not claim his SS till then? Some people go with a plan that activates the lesser SS when they are younger, and then at full retirement, get the higher amount from the other SS.

As I understand, only one person can collect spousal benefit, and only if spouse is dead.
I had a BIL who died, and SS would only accept 1 wife to collect...and #1 got first dibs).

I don't know. Grandmother was married to grandfather for 10 years. He was with his last wife for 30 years. My grandmother got 121.00 a month of his benefits, after he died. Last wife got the rest (and boy, was she pissed! All the way to her grave.) So not sure how it was divided, or decided. Go to your local office. They were very helpful when I was trying to get benefits for my minor cousin when he lost his mother and father.

My visit (with an appointment) to my local SS office was painless. The clerk was helpful and she did not have an agenda that made me feel as though I were being pushed or rushed.

I made the appointment, but had to wait more than 3 weeks before I got in. That gave me plenty of time to see what was what. Call right away.

Jim

Monica, that's not true. Information for ex-spouse:

â¢You are unmarried; (If you remarry, you generally cannot collect benefits on your former spouse's record unless your later marriage ends (whether by death, divorce or annulment). )
â¢You are age 62 or older;
â¢Your ex-spouse is entitled to Social Security retirement or disability benefits (he must be of age to file on his own accord)

â¢The benefit you are entitled to receive based on your own work is less than the benefit you would receive based on your ex-spouse's work.

The amount of benefits you get from having been married to him has no effect on the amount of benefits your ex-spouse or their current spouse, or other ex spouses may receive.

Make an appointment and look into it, but consider too if you start drawing benefits at 62, you'll take a lesser amount for not being full retirement age. Another thing to consider, do you have other options for affordable medical? Because you won't be eligible for Medicare/supplement until age 65 even if you do begin drawing SS at 62...

Lots to consider, and good luck to you.

Here is a link that might be useful: SS Planner for divorced spouses

Monica can't be wrong, she knows everything! LOL

I was married almost 15 years, 1970-1985. I was told by the divorce attorney in 1985 that my ex had married and moved to England. I am the first wife. I don't see any online mention of him or death records here or in Britain. He owes me many thousands of dollars in unpaid alimony, but of course I'll never get it. I turn 62 in February and plan to start making calls and appointments as necessary this winter. I have no records or documents anymore. Lost them at some point. I have his SS number memorized as well as his DL number. Watch me not get a damn dime... as usual...

Did you remarry?

You better get started now. SS wants certified, authenticated, copies of EVERYTHING!

You have time to get replacement copies if they need to verify years married, may want to start soon and have all your ducks in a row:). Contact the county, state where you were married, and the same if you were issued a divorce decree while living elsewhere. Proof you were married from (date) to (date).

Really, any time I've dealt with SS, they've been extremely helpful and willing to give the options that will work best in your favor long term.

No, I never remarried. I sure appreciate the help. I've been a caregiver since 1984, I hope to retire, I'm worn out. That's why I'm wondering how to get as many benefits as possible rolling in. I wonder if you can still be working and get the ex's SS?

If you collect SS before your full retirement age (66 for you), your benefits will be reduced by your pay. And the extra amount may even slide you into a higher tax bracket.

Deeby, I thought I'd heard sometime back that social security benefits could be garnished for SOME debts, including unpaid alimony or child support. If the unpaid items amount to much (and what's due you could include interest), you may want to check with a lawyer. On the other hand, with so much years gone by, maybe a statute of limitations for collection has tolled and the time for action to enforce payment may have passed. In simpler language, it could be too late.

I'm not a lawyer, talk to one if it matters to you.

I filed for my SS online. When the determination came in the mail they stated how much I would be receiving plus a small percent of my DH's. I did not know I could get this until they told me. He is still living and we are still married by the way.

Don't hesitate to call or go to a SS office...you will be shocked at how helpful they will be...they go out of their way to help you unlike most government offices...

PS my husbands first wife collects ss benefits from my husband and so do i....she never remarried...

Don't wait to call for an appointment. You aren't limited in how many times you go in to speak with someone. They can probably help direct you how to gather any documentation you will need to prove when you married and how long you were legally married. It may take some time to apply for and receive documentation. (Or...their own records may provide some evidence.)

Get started now.

I was told the ex spouse isn't even informed that you are collecting against his. It doesn't matter because it doesn't reduce his. I am going through the same thing. I've had many people tell me to try to collect, but I am still working full time. I would lose $1 in benefits for every $2.00 I make working over a certain yearly amt. Not always in your best interest to start collecting at age 62. I plan to continue working for my insurance and other benefits. I've worked this long, I guess I can continue.

The women I know who got it chose lump sum. That's what I thought I'd do. Piddly amounts won't help.

Deeby, I think the women you know taking a lump sum retirement amount were talking about types of retirement accounts other than Social Security. The way it works is month to month. If you applied to begin for your February birthdate month, you would get a check in March for February. You would get a check in April for March. It compares to working, you are paid the month after the 'work' has taken place, and you receive benefits for the previous month when drawing Social Security.

Please make an appointment and speak to a Social Security representative, it's not too soon. You need to know precisely what you have coming and if it would be enough for you to be comfortable, not have to struggle if you do decide to retire. This is a big step, and will play a part in what your monthly income is forever once you begin receiving the benefits. I'm a little concerned the information you have now seems a bit sketchy and not accurate.

Deeby,

Piddling amounts are all you will get no matter what,

If your ex moved to England in 1985, then he hasn't been paying into the Social Security System since that time. I doubt he was making a huge salary at that early point in his work career. Your benefit will be based on his salary at that point in time.

If that's the case (presuming he wasn't working for an American company which withheld SS), your benefit will be 1/2 of what he would be entitled to.

With a short work history at a relatively low salary, your benefit is likely to be "piddling". But if it is, you'd be better off getting a "piddling" amount each month, than a lump sum. You'd likely be collecting for many years beyond any lump sum payment.

Make an appointment and find out.

OK, an appointment this fall. The ladies did get many thousands lump sum. The problem is that my ex was only 39 when he left the country, and had worked in retail several years after getting out of the Air Force, so I know there won't be much SS funds. So maddening. That bat rastard got off two hooks, SS to me and alimony. $300 a month times all the years since 1985 sure would come in handy...

A blurb from the, very informative, article below:

How Social Security's lump sum option works

The rule is a bit complicated, but Kia Anderson, a spokesperson for Social Security Administration, illustrates a possible scenario: Say a retiree reached full retirement age in November 2012, but then waited to file an application for Social Security benefits until November 2013. In this example, the retiree might be entitled to retroactive benefits -- paid in a lump sum -- beginning from May 2013, or six months before he or she finally filed for benefits.

Here is a link that might be useful: Considering a lumb sum from SS?

Key words here are 'full retirement age' which isn't until 2019 for Deeby. She needs to get her advice from a trained source in writing, - from someone who knows how to lead her through the complications of having a 'missing' and out of country ex, give her the information that relates directly to her circumstances. Deeby, while I hope there are some funds available to you, I just hate to see you counting on anything and then be disappointed or unprepared. You may just find yourself doing what you've done the last 30 years, counting on yourself and making your own way on your own work history. But I wish you the best and hope you'll let us know what you find out.

"Key words here are 'full retirement age' which isn't until 2019 for Deeby."

I understand that. I posted in the hope that it would help "her" understand it.

I wasn't criticizing you Angelaid - there's a reason I don't write for a living, I don't always make myself clear. I think we're all concerned Deeby may be counting on something that may not come to be. The SS regulations are complicated for those of us who are lay people and in her case may even be more complicated than is typical. Depending on where the skipped out ex has worked these last decades, if for a company owned in part by an entity in this country, where he is now.

DH and I have a couple of older women in our lives who really don't have enough income to take care easily of their needs - it could be a subject I'm sensitive to. And that's not helpful to Deeby either.

My eldest cousin was amazed that she could claim on her ex-husband's SS. The monthly benefits (half the amount her DH could claim for himself) were enough for her to retire -- not to a life of luxury, but enough for her to patch together with other income and stop working.

I wonder if Deeby has any benefits coming from her ex's time in service. I'm sure her appointment with the SS will be useful.

I was surprised to read my SS record. I had collected from little jobs I had in high school and college too.

You're all so nice and thank you. I'm a woman, yes, my name is Deborah. I won't be disappointed because I figure he didn't stay in America long, may be dead if he did come back, and what I really wish for is that back alimony which I won't get either. Just thought I'd start here but will see an agent this fall. Thanks all !

I think you can collect as early as 60 if they are dead. But I don't think you are actually supposed to MAKE them dead.

Rats. Haha.

sad to say, you may find yourself in the same situation as dh...wanted to retire but can't "afford" to, till 70...the earlier you retire the less you collect...and if x-dh didn't work enough credits her in the usa, he might not have ss at all...I was short and couldn't collect...

Deeby said, "The problem is that my ex was only 39 when he left the country, and had worked in retail several years after getting out of the Air Force, so I know there won't be much SS funds."

Your ex-husband would have to have paid into social security (that is, had SS tax withheld from his pay) for a minimum of 40 quarters. Since there are 4 quarters to a year, for most folks it means they have to have had to pay into SS for 10 years. That, of course, can vary if there was ever a time when someone didn't work for a while.

Deeby, how long was your Ex in the Air Force? Social Security taxes are withheld from military pay, so if he had at least 10 years in the service he would meet the minimum to qualify for benefits. And, since you say he was 39 in 1985 and it's now 2014, that would make him (if alive) 68 which is past his full retirement age.

Why are you waiting until the Fall to go to talk to someone at social security? Was that the first appointment you could get?

I'll add a little issue about budgeting your retirement income... When you become eligible for Medicare at 65, even if you started taking SS at an earlier age, you will have $104.90 (at current rate) deducted for Medicare Part B. There is no addiitional deduction for a Part A (hospitalization) premium, but also factor in the Part D premium.

So if you are counting on $1000, for example, a month at 63, you'll see that reduced when you turn 65.

Just a budgeting heads up.

Medicare Part A is for hospitalization. There is no monthly cost to the retiree as long as the retiree or their spouse had Medicare-covered employment (Medicare taxes were withheld from you or your spouse's pay).

As Sushipup says, the current basic rate for Medicare Part B (medical coverage) is $104.90 per month. However, if your total annual modified adjusted gross income (look at line 39 of IRS form 1090) is over a specific amount for your filing status, you may also have to pay an extra monthly premium (Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount [IRMAA]) for Parts B and D (prescription coverage). Information about the amounts can be found on the Medicare web site.

Here is a link that might be useful: Medicare

I've crunched the numbers, haha. He'll be 70 this October. Was in the Air Force 4 years, then worked steadily from 1970 to 1984. So I guess I'm good for the quarters part. The reason I say this fall is because it's closer to turning 62 and because it'll be cool weather. I hate summer and always merely endure it till fall.

Go see your Social Security Office. You'll should call and make and appointment first. As other posters have said, the rules are many.

If you have also worked and paid social security taxes, that will be considered. Basically, the amount you might get is computed in several ways and then the maximum benefit one is used. The various cases may be (1) your wages and lifetime contribution alone, ( 2) 50% of your spouce's amount, or (3) if disabled, the disabled amount.

If you were born after a certain date, the full retirement age is increased above 65. At one time, the full retirement age was to increase in steps from 65 to 67. I have been retired long enough to have lost track of the current rules.

If you are elgible at age 65 for full retirement, you can take early retirement (as early as 62) with a reduction in payments. The reduction is based on the average life expectancy. When I retired, life expectancy was age 77, e.g., half of your population group will have expired by age 77.

The reduction works out to be 5/9 percent per month early, thus if you retire 3 years early, the reduction is (36 months x .05)/9 or 0.20 which is 20%.

Is this bad? It depends on how long you will live. If you do not expect to live beyond 77, then early retirement is not a loss. You loose only if you live beyond 77. Here's why.

If you retired at the normal age of 65, then the time span to 77 is 12 years; if retired at age 62, the time span to 77 is 15 years. Check it out. You'll find that the total money paid out over the longer time is exactly the same as that of the shorter span.

For example, suppose the normal payout was $100 per month. The amount for 12 years is 12 x 12 x 100 = 14,400.
Now suppose that you retired 3 years early. The payout is $80 per month. The amount for 15 years is 15 x 12 x 80 = 14,400. After age 77, the early payout plan is less than the other and the difference increases each year.

Since I retired, life expectancy may have increased to 78 years.

These calculations give amounts based on the current value of the dollar. As time goes by, there are COLA increases that will increase the payout to offset inflation to some degree. In my experience, the SS cost increase numbers do not fully cover the real inflation of the basics.

Wow, thanks ! That was alot of information ! I appreciate all the help. : )

We'll be waiting to hear what you learn after your appointment!

I'm already seeing ads for Medicare Supplemental Insurance. Soon the Part D (drugs) insurers will be advertising too.

The supplemental insurance ads play to fears of high medical costs. They say, "Medicare only pays for 80%.. You will have to pay the other 20%."

The public thinks about Joe Uninsured and his $10,000 hospital bill for using the ER. Joe owes the entire amount. The new-to-Medicare person imagines that Medicare will be paying $8,000 and they will be on the hook for $2,000. But that's not the case.

Medicare pays 80% of *negotiated* fees, and your cost is 20% is of that *negotiated* fee.

Deeby with Medicare is billed $10,000 for her visit to the ER, but the hospital has a contract with Medicare to charge a Medicare negotiated price of $1,000. Medicare will pay $800 and Deeby will pay $200 -- NOT $2,000.

So...the Medicare-insured person may not feel a need to buy a supplemental policy -- if she's in good health, and if she can pay the 20% of any Medicare approved cost. Or, she may buy lower-cost, high-deductible supplementary policy -- if she thinks her 20% on lowered fees won't rise to the cost of a more comprehensive policy.

You can access the SS Death Index to see if he has died (altho, it might not be reported if he's not in the country). There is limited access to the index thru this site, but you have to "subscribe" which I think is free or else you can see it on Ancestry.com and maybe some other genealogy sites. You can also go to Family Search (the LDS genealogy site - it's free) to access some records in the UK...but they may not go up to current date. I'm suggesting you do this, because if he has died, you would be eligible for benefits as a widow at age 60 (assuming he has SS to file a claim against).

In response to Olychick's message, above:

Not everyone (who has a Social Security number) who has died is included on the SS Death Index. That's because the death has to be reported to the Social Security Administration in order for the decedent's name to be included on the Index.

If the decedent has been receiving monthly SS benefits and their death is reported to the SSA so that the monthly benefits will cease (or if the SSA finds out that the person receiving benefits has died), then the person's name will be included in the Index.

But, if the decedent has not yet been receiving benefits and no eligible family member makes a claim for the lump-sum death payment ($255 that is generally to be used towards funeral expenses), the person's name will not be included in the Index.

(If the decedent was not yet receiving monthly SS benefits, the surviving spouse or child can only receive the lump-sum death benefit if the death of the person would make that spouse or child eligible for survivor's benefits.)

Even if the decedent was not living in the USA at the time of death, the name will still appear in the Index if the death is reported to the SSA.

Finally, you don't have to pay to search the SS Death Index. It is available free on Ancestry.com, FamilySearch.org, Fold3.com, and several other sites.