Can two ex wives collect Social Security?

Asked by: Annamae Zboncak  |  Last update: October 16, 2025
Score: 4.6/5 (68 votes)

If the spouses divorced, the marriage must have lasted 10 years. Each survivor benefit can be up to 100% of your benefit. The amount may be reduced if the women start benefits before their own full retirement age, but they don't have to share — the amount isn't reduced because you've had more than one spouse.

Can both ex spouses collect Social Security?

The 10 Year Rule. You must have been married to your ex for at least 10 years if you want to claim their Social Security benefits. If you were married and divorced more than once, and each marriage lasted the required 10 years, you are entitled to the higher of the two benefits. You can't claim both.

Does a second wife get her husband's Social Security?

If you remarry after age 60 – You may be eligible for survivors benefits on your deceased spouse's record or benefits on your new spouse's record. Contact us to find out where you are due the greatest benefit amount.

What is the Social Security spousal benefits loophole?

The first exception, which can be deemed as the Social Security spousal benefits loophole, works where an individual who remarries at 60 or later may still be entitled to Social Security survivors' benefits if the second marriage ends before the death of the first spouse.

Which wife gets the Social Security?

If you are married and you and your spouse have worked and earned enough credits individually, you will each get your own Social Security benefit.

Social Security Spousal Benefits - MADE EASY to Understand

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Can I stop my ex-wife from getting my Social Security?

This is good news when former spouses are not on good terms. Your ex cannot “block” you from drawing your spousal benefit. In fact, he probably won't even know if you are drawing off him unless he calls SSA to ask.

Can a wife who has never worked get Social Security?

A spouse who has never worked in paid jobs or has not worked to earn sufficient credits to be eligible for his/her own retired worker benefits can receive a spousal benefit that is 50 percent of the eligible worker's full benefit.

How much does a wife get of her husband's Social Security if he dies?

Surviving spouse, any age, with a child younger than age 16, gets 75% of the worker's benefit amount. Child gets 75% of the worker's benefit amount. There's a limit to the benefits we can pay to you and other family members each month. The limit varies between 150% and 180% of the deceased worker's benefit amount.

Who is not eligible for spousal Social Security benefits?

There is a catch: the spouse collecting benefits must be at least 62 or have a child who is either under the age of 16 or receiving Social Security disability benefits. Additionally, someone cannot receive spousal benefits until their spouse has filed for benefits, regardless of age.

How do I get the $16728 Social Security bonus?

Specifically, a rumored $16,728 bonus that had people wondering if it was true or not in 2024? Sadly, there's no real “bonus” that retirees who receive Social Security can collect.

What percent of Social Security does a divorced spouse get?

If you qualify as an ex-spouse based on these criteria, your retirement benefit would be half of your ex's primary insurance amount, or PIA, so long as you claim at your full retirement age (FRA). The PIA is the benefit a person would receive if they elect to begin receiving retirement benefits at their normal FRA.

What is the 10 year rule for Social Security?

Although you need at least 10 years of work (40 credits) to qualify for Social Security retirement benefits, we base the amount of your benefit on your highest 35 years of earnings.

What is the difference between a first wife and a second wife?

Like first wives, second wives bring high expectations to their marriages, but soon encounter their own relationship problems, financial realities and child-rearing frustrations. Unlike first wives, second wives inherit the baggage of the earlier marriage and often must compete with the demands of wife number one.

What is a second wife entitled to Social Security?

Each survivor benefit can be up to 100% of your benefit. The amount may be reduced if the women start benefits before their own full retirement age, but they don't have to share — the amount isn't reduced because you've had more than one spouse.

What are the three ways you can lose your Social Security?

Indeed, here are three ways you can lose at least part of your Social Security benefit.
  • No. 1: Keep working while taking benefits early. ...
  • No. 2: Be a substantially lower-earning spouse. ...
  • No. 3: Be alive in 2034. ...
  • Social Security still provides an important foundation for retirement.

How long can my ex-wife claim my pension years after divorce?

Original divorce agreement: If the divorce decree explicitly states that the pension is to be divided, the ex-spouse may still have a claim, even years later. State laws: Some states have statutes of limitations on claims against retirement assets, while others may allow claims to be made at any time.

Can a divorced woman collect her ex-husband's Social Security?

you're eligible for some of your ex's Social Security

wives and widows. That means most divorced women collect their own Social Security while the ex is alive, but can apply for higher widow's rates when he dies.

What is the new Social Security spousal rule?

Last Updated: July 15, 2024

If you don't have enough Social Security credits to get benefits on your own work record or your own benefit is small, you may be able to receive benefits as a spouse. Your spouse must be receiving benefits for you to get benefits on their work record.

At what age can a wife take half of her husband's Social Security?

Another requirement is that the spouse must be at least age 62 or have a qualifying child in her/his care. By a qualifying child, we mean a child who is under age 16 or who receives Social Security disability benefits.

Can you collect Social Security from two husbands?

Yes, you can. Notify the Social Security Administration that you were married more than once and may qualify for benefits on more than one spouse's earnings record.

What not to do when your spouse dies?

What Not to Do When Someone Dies: 10 Common Mistakes
  1. Not Obtaining Multiple Copies of the Death Certificate.
  2. 2- Delaying Notification of Death.
  3. 3- Not Knowing About a Preplan for Funeral Expenses.
  4. 4- Not Understanding the Crucial Role a Funeral Director Plays.
  5. 5- Letting Others Pressure You Into Bad Decisions.

At what age do you get 100% of your Social Security?

For anyone born 1960 or later, full retirement benefits are payable at age 67.

Can a stay at home wife get Social Security?

Can you still receive Social Security as a stay-at-home mom or dad? The good news is you can. If you are a married person with little to no earnings history, you can receive a benefit up to half of your spouse's Social Security.

What is the Social Security 5 year rule?

The Social Security 5-year rule refers specifically to disability benefits. It requires that you must have worked five out of the last ten years immediately before your disability onset to qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).

When my husband dies, do I get his Social Security and mine?

You cannot claim your deceased spouse's benefits in addition to your own retirement benefits. Social Security only will pay one—survivor or retirement.