Monthly income · Nationwide
Social Security Benefits From an Ex-Spouse's Record
If the marriage lasted ten years, you may be able to collect on your ex's record. They are never told, and their check is not reduced.
Written and checked by Jason Burns, Editorial Steward · Checked August 25, 2026
What it is typically worth
$4,000 – $24,000 a year
An estimate for a typical household. Your amount depends on your income, your state, and your situation.
What this program is, in plain English
If you were married at least ten years, you are currently unmarried, and you are 62 or older, you can collect a benefit based on your ex-husband's or ex-wife's Social Security record. At full retirement age it is up to half of their full benefit, and you get it if it is more than your own. Here is the part that stops most people from ever filing: your ex is not notified, their benefit is not reduced by one dollar, their new spouse's benefit is not reduced either, and their permission is not required and never asked for. If the divorce was more than two years ago, they do not even have to have filed yet.
What you actually get
Up to 50 percent of your ex-spouse's full retirement benefit while they are living, and up to 100 percent as a surviving divorced spouse after they die.
Who qualifies
- You are 62 or older.
- Income limit: Not yet verified — call to confirm
What to have ready
- Your marriage certificate
- Your divorce decree
- Your ex-spouse's Social Security number or date and place of birth
- Your birth certificate
How to apply
This program is run by Social Security Administration. Most decisions take Commonly 30 to 60 days.
We are not a government agency. These links go straight to the agency that runs the program. Applying is always free.
Every program on this site is free to apply for. Anyone who asks you to pay to apply, or to “unlock” a government benefit, is a scam — hang up and call Senior Medicare Patrol or 211.
Report something wrong on this page
Sources
- Program page — ssa.gov
- Social Security Administration — ssa.gov
- Legal authority: 42 U.S.C. § 402(b)(1) and (c)(1)
Checked August 25, 2026 by Jason Burns (http fetch + browser + content check 2026-08-25). Licensed under the Citation License 1.0.
Related programs
- Social Security Survivor BenefitsIf your husband or wife has died, you may be owed a monthly benefit based on their record.
- Social Security Fairness Act: Benefits You Never Filed ForIf a government pension once wiped out your spousal or survivor benefit, that rule is gone. Social Security will not come find you.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)A monthly cash payment for people 65 and older with very little income, and the doorway to Medicaid in most states.
Not sure if this one is for you?
The free screener checks you against every program at once. It takes about two minutes and never asks for your name or phone number.
Start the free screener