topic Re: How do I collect SS in Community Chat

How do I collect SS

hsawaknow — Wed, 27 Jun 2018 02:57:47 GMT

I was married for over 20 years and have been divorced for 4 years. I was told that I would be able to collect my ex'ssocial security when he retired. It wasn't written in the divorce. can I still collect it and if so how do I go about it?

Re: How do I collect SS

sunshine45 — Wed, 27 Jun 2018 03:03:46 GMT

@hsawaknow wrote:
I was married for over 20 years and have been divorced for 4 years. I was told that I would be able to collect my ex'ssocial security when he retired. It wasn't written in the divorce. can I still collect it and if so how do I go about it?

go to your local SSA office and they can help you get started.

yes, you can collect it if it is more than you would collect on your own ss and you are of retirement age.

my guess is is that you will need your marriage certificate, divorce certificate, drivers license, birth certficate, and maybe a passport.

Re: How do I collect SS

drizzellla — Wed, 27 Jun 2018 03:09:05 GMT

When I applied for Social Security, I just went to the website and applied. I was applying to collect under my Social Security. But I am sure that is on the forms. It was pretty straightforward.

Then someone from Social Security called. They were very nice. And verified when I was going to retire etc. And that was it. Started getting paid.

Re: How do I collect SS

Love my grandkids — Wed, 27 Jun 2018 03:14:41 GMT

@drizzellla Don't know if you saw it but the OP is asking about collecting from her ex-s SS.

Re: How do I collect SS

shoekitty — Wed, 27 Jun 2018 03:17:57 GMT

Yes you can. I think if you have less credits to collect, or no credits, you can collect one half of your spouse or ex spouse SS. You have to be of age to collect.

just go in, or go online and apply. Someone will call and work with you. Believe me they know everything about you. Lol.

Re: How do I collect SS

patbz — Wed, 27 Jun 2018 03:18:44 GMT

@hsawaknow: If you meet SS criteria you can collect half of your ex's SS if he is alive(and that amount is more than you are entitled to collect on your own account). If he dies, that is adjusted so that you collect his full entitlement. It is very complicated so make an appointment at your nearest office.

Re: How do I collect SS

bikerbabe — Wed, 27 Jun 2018 03:26:47 GMT

In general yes, If you are 62 or older and are not married. You can collect up to 1/2 if it would be more than what you would get filing under your SS. You do get less if you are not at full retirement age but you need to be 62.

From the SS website

https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/divspouse.html

Re: How do I collect SS

Anonymous — Wed, 27 Jun 2018 03:45:51 GMT

This post has been removed by QVC inappropriate

Re: How do I collect SS

sissel — Wed, 27 Jun 2018 03:54:38 GMT

Yes as long as you didn't remarry. My ex SIL remarried & tried for my brother's ss cause he made more but also my brother is still working, be prepared bring all papers you have to go down there. I collected at 62yrs but did it on line then when he retired I had to go down. Get ready for the stone face ss person to fire questions, city you got married, day, this that I was already collecting it and it was in the computer. I was a wreck, finally after all questions I saw a smile, she said she has to be like this because of so much fraud. I wonder if ex remarries & new spouse collects his half & you collecting his half how does that work? I also was told if I (collecting his half) got divorced I would have a 2 yr penalty of no checks then have to refile. Married so long now not even thinking but sometimes things happen so good to know. You can't collect his half unless you go down there. It's a long day just bring every paper you have maybe even food. Rapid questions & they want rapid answers. DH at first gave answers then she said oh I am talking to your wife only you don't answer. LOL what a day!!!! It all worked out.

Re: How do I collect SS

hsawaknow — Wed, 27 Jun 2018 04:07:16 GMT

@sissel wrote:
Yes as long as you didn't remarry. My ex SIL remarried & tried for my brother's ss cause he made more but also my brother is still working, be prepared bring all papers you have to go down there. I collected at 62yrs but did it on line then when he retired I had to go down. Get ready for the stone face ss person to fire questions, city you got married, day, this that I was already collecting it and it was in the computer. I was a wreck, finally after all questions I saw a smile, she said she has to be like this because of so much fraud. I wonder if ex remarries & new spouse collects his half & you collecting his half how does that work? I also was told if I (collecting his half) got divorced I would have a 2 yr penalty of no checks then have to refile. Married so long now not even thinking but sometimes things happen so good to know. You can't collect his half unless you go down there. It's a long day just bring every paper you have maybe even food. Rapid questions & they want rapid answers. DH at first gave answers then she said oh I am talking to your wife only you don't answer. LOL what a day!!!! It all worked out.

Re: How do I collect SS

hsawaknow — Wed, 27 Jun 2018 04:16:25 GMT

@bikerbabe wrote:
In general yes, If you are 62 or older and are not married. You can collect up to 1/2 if it would be more than what you would get filing under your SS. You do get less if you are not at full retirement age but you need to be 62.

From the SS website

https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/divspouse.html

Thank you so much for this information

Re: How do I collect SS

patbz — Wed, 27 Jun 2018 04:22:25 GMT

@sissel: If you were married for at least ten years you can collect from an ex's account regardless of another spouse (or another former spouse) collecting it you meet the criteria I mentioned in my first post.

Re: How do I collect SS

shoekitty — Wed, 27 Jun 2018 04:46:17 GMT

My experience with SS has been very positive. I have had to deal with my brothers mess at SS, as he is mentally ill, and I was applying to be payee after my mom in declining memory made a disaster. They walked me through everything, and had the patients of job.

They are the ones who suggested I get SS payment as I was short 10 credits. They made phone appts, so it was nice to wait by phone for call. They called within 10 mins of promised appt.

Re: How do I collect SS

sissel — Wed, 27 Jun 2018 05:30:02 GMT

This is something, I did read if your spouse dies you get $255 well good luck trying to bury them at this price. My Dad died & Mom on ss they combine the checks divide by 2 so her checks were less. We are collecting ss checks but you have to have savings or pension checks, very hard to just live off the ss checks alone. Please pay your house off before retirement. Also medicare (65yrs) is auto taken out of the ss checks too. My FIL thought oh SS is going to care for him, well my DH & my SIL have to send monthly checks to pay for his bills he never saved a cent he thought SS would pay his way.

Re: How do I collect SS

CelticCrafter — Wed, 27 Jun 2018 07:55:12 GMT

I applied for my SS at 62. I did it all on line and never heard a word from them other than a letter saying my application had been approved, when I would get paid and how much.

When my husband applied for his, he also did it on line but did receive a phone call from them wanting to clarify something.

He was asked at that time if I would be applying for spousal benefits, explained that I was collecting under my own account. He put me on the phone with the SSA rep. She went over everything with me, told me I would be eligible for more, would I like to apply under his account. I had to go through the whole application process with her over the phone to re-apply under his account - it didn't automatically roll over to his account.

As for being divorced, it does not need to be part of the divorce decree, you are automatically eligible if you were married 10 years and have not remarried. You collecting under his account will not decrease or affect his payment in any way.

Re: How do I collect SS

CalminHeart — Wed, 27 Jun 2018 11:02:12 GMT

I was in a similar situation. When you are eligible to collect SS, you can fill out the forms online and submit. It's much faster and easier than going to the office or filling out paper forms. There is a section of the app that asks about marriages. I filled in the info about my ex and they automatically included it in my monthly payment.

Doing this does not decrease your ex's benefits but it could increase yours when you are eligible for SS.

Re: How do I collect SS

CalminHeart — Wed, 27 Jun 2018 11:04:22 GMT

@Love my grandkids wrote:
@drizzellla Don't know if you saw it but the OP is asking about collecting from her ex-s SS.

Correct. The OP has to be eligible to collect SS before she can collect any portion of her ex's SS. That's how it was when I started receiving SS 18 months ago.

The online application at the SS website includes giving info about prior marriages and it's automatically considered when applying.

Re: How do I collect SS

Anonymous — Wed, 27 Jun 2018 12:19:34 GMT

This post has been removed by QVC unkind

Re: How do I collect SS

proudlyfromNJ — Wed, 27 Jun 2018 12:40:26 GMT

@hsawaknow. I didn't bother calling SS. I went to the office and received all the info and applied. Very easy and I had no problems. Easier for me to have someone in person help than by phone.

Oh, ignore the mean remark, that poster does it all the time.

Good luck with the SS.

Re: How do I collect SS

beckyb1012 — Wed, 27 Jun 2018 13:22:24 GMT

Here is the link of what I researched a few years ago about your question @hsawaknow. https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/divspouse.html

If You Are Divorced

If you are divorced, but your marriage lasted 10 years or longer, you can receive benefits on your ex-spouse's record (even if they have remarried) if:

You are unmarried;
You are age 62 or older;
Your ex-spouse is entitled to Social Security retirement or disability benefits; and
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.