Question: I am a divorced 65-year-old who, after 40 years of marriage, had to start collecting Social Security benefits at almost 63 because of the Arizona economy. I receive $710 on my earning and $80 from my former husband’s Social Security. He is 67 and started collecting at 64 or 65 (again, because of the economy).
The way I read the Social Security regulations, I should receive 33 percent of his benefit. I don’t know what he is making, but I am fairly sure it is more than $240. He made over $70,000 for the last five years of his working life. I have had my local Social Security office investigate it twice and they claim it is correct. I would appreciate any help you can shine my way.
Answer: Your divorced spousal benefit should equal A times B, where A is the difference between half of your ex’s full retirement benefit and 100 percent of your full retirement benefit, and B is the reduction factor arising from taking your divorced spousal benefit three years before full retirement age. Exactly when you started collecting will determine the size of B. Do this calculation, and if you aren’t in the right ballpark, ask Social Security to explain to you in detail why your reduced excess spousal benefit is only $80.
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