Your Ex-Spouse’s Social Security Record
Let’s look at ex-spouses who are eligible for benefits based on their own Social Security record. The Social Security Administration will pay first the amount of benefit based on the ex-spouse’s record.
However, if the benefit on your Social Security record is higher than the ex-spouse’s amount, the spousal benefit paid to the ex-spouse will be a combination of benefits equivalent to the higher amount subject to the age reduction provision where applicable.
Under these conditions, an ex-spouse who has acquired full retirement age is eligible for a spouse’s benefit and their own. They can exercise the choice that best benefits them.
The ex-spouse can choose between receiving only the spouse’s benefits when applying and delay receiving benefits until a date in the future. If the ex-spouse in fact selects to delay receiving benefits, a higher benefit may be realized based on the impact of delayed retirement credits.
Determining how to get the best benefit for planning and sustaining your retirement is a very personal decision and one that should be viewed with objectivity concerning what provisions are outlined in the regulations. Deciding on your own Social security record of benefits or an ex-spouse’s has absolutely nothing to do with anything other than the laws and regulations that are outlined, with no respect of person.
P. S. Always Remember to Share What You Know.
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