Tip #4: Claim Your Benefits in Complete Secrecy
A surprising number of eligible Americans fail to collect thousands of dollars in retirement income because they fear triggering interpersonal drama or legal battles with an ex-spouse.
Common marketing myths suggest that claiming on an ex’s earnings record will alert the ex-spouse, reduce their monthly retirement check, or diminish benefits for their new family. Every single one of these assumptions is completely untrue.
Under Section 203 of the Social Security Act, benefits paid to an eligible divorced spouse have zero impact on the primary worker’s monthly payout. Your ex-spouse receives their full, unadjusted monthly benefit regardless of whether you claim spousal benefits against their record.
Furthermore, if your ex-spouse has remarried, your spousal claim will not reduce or alter the spousal benefit allocated to their current husband or wife.
Most importantly, the Social Security Administration enforces strict privacy standards; agency representatives will never contact your former partner, notify them of your claim, or disclose your financial details. The entire filing process remains strictly confidential between you and the federal government.
I took my personal SS at age 62. Can I switch to or “add” my ex’s full retirement now? I am 75 and never made as much money as my rx but sure could use the extra now.
Too Good to be trueAre you saying if I’m 62 I can apply for my x husband social security without letting him know or get in trouble for applying for his disability so how many years are you going to come back after 2 and tell me I made to much money or I’m not supposed to have done that.
I am still working but my ex husband is not can I get some social security from him.
Part-time
Does it matter how long you’ve been divorced? If not, how do I apply to receive from his social security?
Does it matter how long you have been divorced?
This is not a comment but a question. I applied for Social Security at age 64 due to personal medical reasons (not officially disabled). I asked the SS worker about this ex-spouse rule and was told that the amount “would not make a difference,” even though my ex-spouse was still working. It is now 4 yrs later and my ex-spouse has retired. Am I able to apply for this ex-spouse benefit now, even though I have been receiving my own SS benefit for the past 4 years? I do not mean retroactively to my retirement date, but from the current date.
I’ve remarried and I’m receiving my social security can I change and receive my x husband
I retired at 62 I’m now 71 . Could I use my x husbands retirement social security? I only make 1,300. a month and I’m disabled now in my back. Funds are so tight, every month.
If I am 62 and my husband is deceases, can I draw my husband Social Security now, he has been deceased since August 24, 2021
My ex husband and I have devoiced for years and he has remarried. He has been deceased since December 2025.
I am retired, remarried and collecting my own SS. Can I apply for benefits under my Ex-spouses SS?