Ask Larry

I was married for 13 years divorced now for 25 years and never remarried. I'm 65 and will be 66 in September 2018 and looking at retiring in December 2018 at 66.
What would be my best option to optimize apply for SS now that I'm single?

Thank you - Ross

Hi Ross,

Since you were born prior to January 2 1954 and assuming that your ex is still living, one possible option might be to apply for just divorced spousal benefits only at your full retirement age of 66 and then switch to your own record at age 70 (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/claiming.html?intcmp=AE-RET-PLRT-RELBOX-4). I have no idea whether or not that would be best in your case, though, without more details about your circumstances. You should strongly consider using our maximization software to explore and compare all of your filing options in order to determine your likely best strategy.

For the above mentioned strategy to be possible, by the way, your ex-spouse would need to be insured for Social Security benefits on her own record and would need to be at least age 62 or drawing her benefits (https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/handbook/handbook.03/handbook-0311.html).

Best, Jerry