The Savings Game: Reader questions about Social Security
Q. I was married for more than 10 years before my divorce. My ex worked many years under Social Security. If I remarry, will I lose the right to survivor benefits if I remarry?
A. Good question. If you remarry after age 60, you still are entitled to a survivor benefit based on your ex’s Social Security benefit. However, you would be entitled to one benefit out of a possible three: either the survivor benefit based on your ex’s work record, or the benefit based on your own work record, or the Social Security benefit you are entitled to based on your new spouse’s work record, whichever is greater.
Q. My spouse does not plan to apply for his Social Security benefit until age 70. He is 68. I am 65, and worked many years under Social Security. I have not filed for my Social Security benefit yet, because I have not reached my full retirement age, which is 67. My husband’s Social Security benefit will be greater than mine. When should I apply for my Social security benefit?
A. If you apply for a Social Security benefit now based on your work record, it will be discounted because you are applying prior to reaching your full retirement age (FRA). If you wait until 67 to apply, when your husband reaches age 70 and applies for his benefit, you will be entitled to a spousal benefit equivalent to 50% of his FRA benefit. If you apply for Social Security benefits now, your spousal benefit would be discounted slightly because you applied prior to your FRA.