Ask Larry

I have been married to my husband for 13 years. His ex wife in FL was married to to him for 12 years before they divorced. At current time I am 67 yrs old and she is either 59 or 60 yrs old. My husband mentioned to me that it is possible that she can be entitled to his SS when he passes away. My question is, how much is she entitled to, since I have been married longer to him and she has not remarried.

Hi,

Your husband's ex-wife's potential benefit rate as a divorced wife or surviving divorced wife would be calculated the same as would your potential spousal or widow's rate. If your husband's ex-wife is someday able to collect benefits on your husband's Social Security record, though, it will have no adverse effect on your benefit rate as a spouse or widow.

Both you and your husband's ex-wife could potentially be paid up to the full amount of your husband's benefit rate as survivors, and your benefit rates would not be affected by the fact that more than one spouse/ex-spouse is collecting benefits.

Best, Jerry