Social Security Options With More Than One Marriage?

[jitterbug]

I was married for 12 years to my first husband and he passed away 25 years ago. I have been married to my current husband for 13 years.

My understanding of SS is that if I retired right now and we were both at the age for SS, I could receive 100% of my own SS or 50% of my current husband's - whichever is greater.  But have I completely given up access to my first husband's social security  As I believe that 100% of his SS would be greater than either of the first options.  And I always feared that if I did not cross the 10 year mark with my 2nd husband, I'd have lost the higher value SS from my first husband - so I felt more secure when I crossed that milestone with Hubby #2.  (and we are happily married - but planning our retirement in the next 5 years).

And if this matters - I am 59 and remarried when I was 46.

I will check with SS on this at some point - but you guys are the quick answer!    

[Deleted]

I know that when I applied for a SUrvivor benefit when DH died they asked about my previous husband (married 13 years, he'd died in 2010 and second DH died in 2016, also after 13 years). I was awarded the higher amount, which was second DH's.

I don't think you can collect Survivor benefits on your first husband because you've remarried. (They make an exception if you remarried when you were older- something over 60- because too many grannies were living in sin rather than trade their Survivor benefit for a 50% spousal benefit). Is it possible his Spousal benefit would be higher than what you'd get based on your current husband's record? I'm not sure if that would apply.

[Deleted]

I thought you forfeited any right to a former spouse's SS after you remarry?

[tallguy]

No, you can qualify for benefits off of more than one spouse' record.  My initial guess in the OP's situation is that because she remarried earlier than age 60, she cannot claim on the deceased spouse' record unless her current marriage ends either through death or divorce.  If that happens, then she can go back and claim benefits on the first spouse if that will be the higher benefit.  If the current spouse dies, then she could claim on either spouse first with a reduced benefit before FRA and even switch to an unreduced benefit on the other spouse at FRA.  Also, if the remarriage had occurred after age 60, she could have claimed survivor benefits on the first spouse while still married, and then switched to either her own or spousal benefits at a later date.  I have not actually researched this specific situation, but think it is correct. 

[sesfw]

I thought you forfeited any right to a former spouse's SS after you remarry?

Only if you remarry before the age 60.

[Deleted]

Jul 8, 2020 17:34:57 GMT -5 sesfw said:

I thought you forfeited any right to a former spouse's SS after you remarry?

Only if you remarry before the age 60.

Not if both spouses are dead.  I had to provide information on my ex when I applied for DH's benefits after he died.

I really should work on getting a copy of the marriage certificate for ex and me while I can still remember the date.  I totally blanked out on it when talking to SS.  I could only remember the month and year.

[teen persuasion]

Jul 8, 2020 10:42:54 GMT -5 jitterbug said:

I was married for 12 years to my first husband and he passed away 25 years ago. I have been married to my current husband for 13 years.

My understanding of SS is that if I retired right now and we were both at the age for SS, I could receive 100% of my own SS or 50% of my current husband's - whichever is greater.  But have I completely given up access to my first husband's social security  As I believe that 100% of his SS would be greater than either of the first options.  And I always feared that if I did not cross the 10 year mark with my 2nd husband, I'd have lost the higher value SS from my first husband - so I felt more secure when I crossed that milestone with Hubby #2.  (and we are happily married - but planning our retirement in the next 5 years).

And if this matters - I am 59 and remarried when I was 46.

I will check with SS on this at some point - but you guys are the quick answer!    

I'm still trying to figure out how you were married to the first husband for 12 years, and he died 25 years ago.  Child bride at age 9? 

[Opti]

Jul 8, 2020 22:28:15 GMT -5 teen persuasion said:

Jul 8, 2020 10:42:54 GMT -5 jitterbug said:

I was married for 12 years to my first husband and he passed away 25 years ago. I have been married to my current husband for 13 years.

My understanding of SS is that if I retired right now and we were both at the age for SS, I could receive 100% of my own SS or 50% of my current husband's - whichever is greater.  But have I completely given up access to my first husband's social security  As I believe that 100% of his SS would be greater than either of the first options.  And I always feared that if I did not cross the 10 year mark with my 2nd husband, I'd have lost the higher value SS from my first husband - so I felt more secure when I crossed that milestone with Hubby #2.  (and we are happily married - but planning our retirement in the next 5 years).

And if this matters - I am 59 and remarried when I was 46.

I will check with SS on this at some point - but you guys are the quick answer!    

I'm still trying to figure out how you were married to the first husband for 12 years, and he died 25 years ago.  Child bride at age 9? 

Twenty five years ago is roughly 1995 and she is 59 now, so born in 1961? Married initially around age 22 in roughly 1983?

[teen persuasion]

Jul 9, 2020 4:47:00 GMT -5 Opti said:

Jul 8, 2020 22:28:15 GMT -5 teen persuasion said:

I'm still trying to figure out how you were married to the first husband for 12 years, and he died 25 years ago.  Child bride at age 9? 

Twenty five years ago is roughly 1995 and she is 59 now, so born in 1961? Married initially around age 22 in roughly 1983?

Age 59 now, married DH2 13 years ago at age 46, check.
DH1 died 25 years ago, OP 21.  OP married to DH1 12 years, married at age 9?


I'm sure there's a typo in there somewhere, probably the "died 25 years ago" part, but 

I'm a math nerd, I can't help but begin working out the word problems.

[tallguy]

Jul 9, 2020 7:59:25 GMT -5 teen persuasion said:

Jul 9, 2020 4:47:00 GMT -5 Opti said:

Twenty five years ago is roughly 1995 and she is 59 now, so born in 1961? Married initially around age 22 in roughly 1983?

Age 59 now, married DH2 13 years ago at age 46, check.
DH1 died 25 years ago, OP 21.  OP married to DH1 12 years, married at age 9?


I'm sure there's a typo in there somewhere, probably the "died 25 years ago" part, but 

I'm a math nerd, I can't help but begin working out the word problems.

Age 59 now.  DH1 died 25 years ago when she was roughly 34.  Had been married for 12 years, starting when she was probably 22.  It does NOT say that he died 25 years before she remarried at 46.  The 13 years married to DH2 is concurrent with part of the 25 years since DH1 died.  You are double-counting them.

[teen persuasion]

Jul 9, 2020 8:40:03 GMT -5 tallguy said:

Jul 9, 2020 7:59:25 GMT -5 teen persuasion said:

Age 59 now, married DH2 13 years ago at age 46, check.
DH1 died 25 years ago, OP 21.  OP married to DH1 12 years, married at age 9?


I'm sure there's a typo in there somewhere, probably the "died 25 years ago" part, but 

I'm a math nerd, I can't help but begin working out the word problems.

Age 59 now.  DH1 died 25 years ago when she was roughly 34.  Had been married for 12 years, starting when she was probably 22.  It does NOT say that he died 25 years before she remarried at 46.  The 13 years married to DH2 is concurrent with part of the 25 years since DH1 died.  You are double-counting them.

Thank you!

(If only I could convince my kids - this is why you need to show your work - that's how you find your errors).

[countrygirl2]

Anyone know if you get 100% of your spouses SS if they are deceased and both are retired.
Mine isn't much hubs is a lot and I will need it. Wonder if it matters if I would still be taking care of DD long as I can. I do know she will get 3/4's of her dads SS upon his death.

[buystoys]

Jul 10, 2020 8:02:42 GMT -5 countrygirl2 said:

Anyone know if you get 100% of your spouses SS if they are deceased and both are retired.
Mine isn't much hubs is a lot and I will need it. Wonder if it matters if I would still be taking care of DD long as I can. I do know she will get 3/4's of her dads SS upon his death.

Since you took SS early, you'll never get 100% of your husband's SS.  You'll get the amount he would have received if he had taken it early. 

[CCL]

I've never heard that. My understanding is you would get whatever spouse was collecting at time of death. Now I've gotta go look this up so I know for sure.

[buystoys]

Here's a link:

link

Just as anyone loses part of their own benefit if they retire early, if you begin collecting a spousal benefit before you reach your FRA, your benefit will be permanently lower unless you’re caring for a qualifying child. Depending on how early you retire, it will be reduced by as much as 35%.6 You can get exact percentages by plugging in various early retirement ages on the Social Security Administration’s website.

ETA:  CG may be able to collect more because of her daughter.  I suspect that SS will hold her to the reduced amount since she took her own early, though.  I'm trying to find the exact article that explained it so well for me when I was looking into what my mom would receive.  She took early SS and will not receive 100% of dad's SS when he dies.

[CCL]

What about if you and spouse were both already collecting SS at time of spouse's death?

[buystoys]

Here's more information:

link

When you take your spousal benefits plays a big role in getting the most of your benefits. If you claim before you reach your full retirement age you stand to permanently lower your monthly benefit and even your survivor benefit.

[buystoys]

Jul 10, 2020 8:23:11 GMT -5 CCL said:

What about if you and spouse were both already collecting SS at time of spouse's death?

My understanding is that, as long as both of you are at FRA, you can receive either your own benefit or 1/2 of your spouse's benefit, whichever is larger.  If your spouse has the larger benefit and passes, you would receive 100% of your spouse's benefit and lose your own.  You only receive one benefit.

[countrygirl2]

Now I remember it will be cut by 25%, hubs didn't take it till 69 but I am guessing I will only get 3/4's of his full amount at 66 something. I didn't realize that when I took it early or would not have. Going to be a huge cut.

Now I know why many old ladies keep their mentally challenged kids, they need their money to survive too. I remember one that was so sick and still trying to take her DD in her 80's, I asked her why she didn't do something. Said she couldn't afford to, she died trying to care for her.

[countrygirl2]

I will read it later, thanks, I might receive more caring for DD but how long can I do that? I don't know if he isn't here to help.

[CCL]

Yes I know I can only receive one benefit. For example, if spouse is currently receiving $2000 and I collect based on his earnings my full benefit would be half or $1000. If I collect prior to full retirement age I get approximately 75% of that or $750. Then spouse dies. I thought I would then be able to collect spouse's $2000. Would my benefit be reduced again to only 75% of what spouse was collecting at time of death, so only $1500?

This is all so confusing lol.

[buystoys]

You got it!  You would only receive 75% of his SS as you began collecting early.  It is confusing, but that's government for you! 

[CCL]

Nooooooo.... this is gonna change my retirement plan.

I wonder if I could collect off of my record for a few years, then switch to his? I'm thinking they don't allow the switching anymore.

[buystoys]

It depends on when you were born.  You can still file and suspend if  you meet the requirements.

Congress made two major changes in the law.

Your spouse or children cannot collect benefits on your work record while your own benefits are suspended. Requests for suspension filed before April 30, 2016, were grandfathered in.
Under “deemed filing” rules, married people filing for Social Security at any age are automatically claiming both their retirement and their spousal benefit. (Previously, this was the case only for people who claimed benefits before full retirement age.)

The second change does not apply to people born before Jan. 2, 1954. They can still file what is called a “restricted application” for just spousal benefits, but only if they are full retirement age or older.

link

[endofera]

As long as the survivor begins drawing the survivor benefit after full retirement age the amount = 100% the spouse's amount they were drawing at death.

In her case, Countrygirl will stop receiving her amount and switch to 100% of her husbands higher amount if he dies before her.  It doesn't matter that she began drawing a reduced spousal benefit early.

I'm not real familiar with disability benefits but I think her daughter will continue to receive the same amount as she does now.

The link provided above was a guide to spousal benefits.  Here is a guide to survivor benefits from the same site:  link

[Rukh O'Rorke]

Jul 10, 2020 8:15:23 GMT -5 buystoys said:

Here's a link:

link

Just as anyone loses part of their own benefit if they retire early, if you begin collecting a spousal benefit before you reach your FRA, your benefit will be permanently lower unless you’re caring for a qualifying child. Depending on how early you retire, it will be reduced by as much as 35%.6 You can get exact percentages by plugging in various early retirement ages on the Social Security Administration’s website.

ETA:  CG may be able to collect more because of her daughter.  I suspect that SS will hold her to the reduced amount since she took her own early, though.  I'm trying to find the exact article that explained it so well for me when I was looking into what my mom would receive.  She took early SS and will not receive 100% of dad's SS when he dies.

I thought Pat was collecting on her own earnings? Does that make a difference?

[buystoys]

Jul 10, 2020 13:06:41 GMT -5 Rukh O'Rorke said:

Jul 10, 2020 8:15:23 GMT -5 buystoys said:

Here's a link:

link

ETA:  CG may be able to collect more because of her daughter.  I suspect that SS will hold her to the reduced amount since she took her own early, though.  I'm trying to find the exact article that explained it so well for me when I was looking into what my mom would receive.  She took early SS and will not receive 100% of dad's SS when he dies.

I thought Pat was collecting on her own earnings? Does that make a difference?

She is, but it's not supposed to make any difference.  My mom is in the same situation.  She took SS early and was told that her survivor benefits would also be reduced.  I remember doing a lot of research on it years ago when it happened, but can't find the article that explained it so well.  Of course, we're talking about events from over 15 years ago, so things could have changed.  Not that any SS changes tend to be positive!  lol

[CCL]

I think Pat's correct about her daughter only receiving 75%. Pretty sure I saw it somewhere. I'll see if I can find it again.

As for myself, I'm not old enough to be grandfathered into anything. I haven't started collecting SS since not old enough yet. I was hoping to start collecting at 62. I know it will be reduced, but was hoping I could receive hubby's same benefit if he dies before me.

[CCL]

From endofera's link above:

"If you will be eligible to collect Social Security retirement benefits based on your own work history, you’ll need to decide whether you want to do that or take the survivors benefits. You can switch later if doing so gets you a higher benefit."

Reading this, it sounds like I could collect a lower benefit based on my own record, then switch to hubby's benefit once I reached full retirement age. That would be a big help to me.

[Blonde Granny]

My DH was 71 when he died in 2015. He was receiving his SS monthly. When he died I was also receiving my SS which was far less than his. When he died, I lost all of my SS and was given the total amount of his. As I understand when spouse dies, the remaining spouse , if both are receiving SS, the spouse will receive the SS based on who had the higher monthly amount. In my case, DH was getting far more than me, therefore, mine was taken and replaced with his.

He was also receiving a 100% permanent and TOTAl disability from the VA....that was also taken from me the day he died. On total, my income was cut by $3700 per month.