How to Find Out Your Ex-Husband’s Social Security Benefits..

How to Dig Up Your Ex-Husband’s Social Security Benefits: The Real-World Playbook
Everything Divorced Folks Need to Know — Without the Jargon

Table of Contents (aka what’s inside)
Intro

What Even Is Social Security?

Divorce + Social Security: What’s the Deal?

Can You Actually Get Paid Off Your Ex?

How to Find Out What Your Ex-Husband’s Social Security Looks Like

What Paperwork Do You Need?

Wait, Don’t Have His SSN? Chill.

When Can You Start Grabbing Ex-Spouse Benefits?

How Much Cash Are We Talking?

Can You Still Work And Collect The Ex Check?

Remarriage: Does It Mess Everything Up?

Busting Myths (Because People Love Drama)

What If Your Ex Hasn’t Filed Yet?

Sneaky Ways to Max Out Your Ex Benefits

Legal Stuff and Privacy (Don’t Be Creepy)

Dealing With the SSA (a.k.a. The Bureaucratic Jungle)

How to Actually Apply

Pro Tips from Money Nerds and Lawyers

Real People, Real Stories

https://investor.vanguard.com/investor-resources-education/social-security/benefits-for-divorced-spouse

Conclusion: Go Get What You’re Owed

1. Intro
   Alright, picture this: you’re divorced, staring down retirement, and suddenly you find out you might be able to snag some Social Security money based on your ex-husband’s work history. Didn’t see that plot twist coming, huh? This guide will break it all down — what you’re allowed, where to start, and how to make the SSA work for you. Forget playing detective on Google. Let’s actually get you paid.
2. What Even Is Social Security?
   Basically, Social Security is the government’s monthly thank-you note to people who’ve worked (and paid taxes) forever. Retirees get it, so do folks with disabilities, and survivors after someone dies. For ex-spouses, there’s this thing called “spousal benefits” — if you check the right boxes, you could get up to half of your ex’s full benefit. Wild, right?
3. Divorce + Social Security: What’s the Deal?
   US law (yep, real legal stuff — Title 42, Section 402 if you’re bored) says if you were married for 10 years or longer, are now single, and you’re at least 62, you might be able to dip into your ex’s Social Security pool. Important: you’re not stealing their check. They keep theirs. Their new spouse keeps theirs. No one’s taking a hit because you get yours.
4. Can You Actually Get Paid Off Your Ex?
   Here’s the checklist:

• Married at least 10 years
• Age 62+
• Single now (unless you remarried and divorced again)
• Your ex is eligible for Social Security
• Your own benefit is less than what you’d get as an ex

1. How to Find Out What Your Ex-Husband’s Social Security Looks Like
   Step 1: Get yourself a “my Social Security” account on the SSA site.
   Step 2: Round up marriage and divorce paperwork.
   Step 3: Call or visit the Social Security office (1-800-772-1213 if you hate waiting in line).
   Step 4: They’ll check if your ex is in the system and what you’re eligible for.
   Step 5: Boom — submit your application (online, phone, or face-to-face).
2. What Paperwork Do You Need?

• Your SSN (duh)
• Your ex’s full name and birthday
• Marriage certificate
• Divorce decree
• Proof you’re a U.S. citizen
• Your birth certificate
• Any old Social Security statements, if you’ve got ‘em

1. Wait, Don’t Have His SSN? Chill.
   No worries — you don’t actually need his Social Security number. If you know his name, birthday, maybe where he was born, the SSA can track him down in their system. They won’t give you his personal info (privacy laws and all that jazz), but they will figure out your eligibility.
2. When Can You Start Grabbing Ex-Spouse Benefits?
   You can file at 62, but you only get the maximum if you wait for “full retirement age” (somewhere between 66 and 67, depending on your birth year). File early and you get less. It’s like ordering the small fries instead of the supersize.
3. How Much Cash Are We Talking?
   Tops, you can get 50% of your ex’s full retirement benefit. If you claim early, you get a smaller cut. You can’t double-dip — it’s either your benefit or the ex benefit, not both.
4. Can You Still Work And Collect The Ex Check?
   You can, but if you’re under full retirement age and make more than $22,320 (for 2025), the SSA will start shaving dollars off your check. For every $2 you make above the limit, they knock a buck off your benefits. Annoying, but that’s the deal.
5. Remarriage: Does It Mess Everything Up?
   If you remarry before age 60 (or 50 if you’re disabled), your right to ex-spouse benefits goes poof. Remarry after 60? You’re good. If you divorce (again), you might be eligible again. Social Security is weirdly forgiving about serial divorces.

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