Who knows details of Social Security benefits?

[JB]

I went to Google this and all I got were sites that wanted me to pay them for stuff I can get free.

Is there a site where I can get online answers from a Social Security Office?

Here's my question:

The LOML and I were married for 28 years. She stayed home and raised our 4 children while I made what were pretty big bux for those days.

She divorced me and remarried. 19 years later her second husband passed away. She worked during those days and her second husband made about half what I had been making during the later 10 years of our marriage. She retired shortly after that and started drawing benefits based on her second husband's earnings.

It seems to me that she should be eligible to draw benefits based on my earnings while she was married to me. That would be about double what she is currently drawing.

Anybody know how to verify this, or do we need to go to a SS office just to find out?

 

[gss036]

Re: Who knows details of Social Security benefits?

http://www.ssa.gov/ This the online start page

http://www.ssa.gov/gethelp1.htm This one may get you to the point quicker than the others.

Look here, they have a search machine for questions. I think I would still call or go in to the office to make sure. I would think that since your ex remarried, she abandoned her rights to your benefits, but sure worth checking on.

 

[KM2]

Re: Who knows details of Social Security benefits?

I believe she would be able to claim off your benefits if she had NOT remarried.

She should be getting the greater of what she has earned or 1/2 of what her husband earned. (Hubby #2)

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Who knows details of Social Security benefits?

It seems to me that she should be eligible to draw benefits based on my earnings while she was married to me.

Only if you are dead..and thats surviving spouse..and you aint that..

 

[Solittle]

Re: Who knows details of Social Security benefits?

Best bet is to call the 800 number given somewhere on the ssa site. I have used it and found the folk quite helpful.

I suspect she will not be able to tap into your benefits though - check with them to be sure.

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: Who knows details of Social Security benefits?

Yea I just got my SS thing in the mail to. Confuses the hell out of me.