Ask Larry

I was married to my first husband for 20 years. When I retire does he get 50% of my benefit (he has not paid into the system) and does that reduce my benefit by 50%?

Hi,

If your ex-husband meets all of the eligibility requirements for divorced spousal benefits (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/yourdivspouse.html), he may be able to draw up to 50% of your full retirement age benefit amount (PIA) as a divorced spouse. However, whether or not he receives benefits from your record has absolutely no impact on what you would receive. Divorced spousal benefits are a type of auxiliary, or additional, benefit paid to eligible current or former family members who meet the relationship and age requirements. No types of Social Security auxiliary benefits ever cause a reduction in the benefit amount payable to the worker on whose account they are entitled.

Best, Jerry