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An important issue:
There is growing concern about social
security among older divorced spouses,
particularly ex-wives who spent the greatest part of married life as homemakers,
not earning wages that automatically rack up social security benefits.
So what's to be done?
BG writes:
"I'm 62 years old, divorced for 11 years. I'm barely able to get by.
Jobs for older women are scarce, and when they've been available, don't
pay much, so I have almost nothing in social security. My ex-husband made
a very good living during our eighteen-year marriagewhile I stayed home
and raised our three children, but I know he won't willingly share his
benefits with me. Is there anything I can do?"
Yes, there definitely is light at the end of the
tunnel.
First of all, it has nothing to do with your ex-husband's wishes,
only with his social security benefits. To find out what they are
and how much is payable to you, you can call the
Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213.
Keep in mind that there are all the following criteria to be met:
- You must be at least 62
years old;
You must have been
married to your ex-spouse for at least 10 years;
You must currently
be unmarried;
Your ex-spouse
must be at least 62;
Your ex-spouse
must be eligible to receive Social Security benefits.
You should have some income now. Call the
Social Security
Administration to begin payments. (To ensure that you safely receive
the monthly funds, arrange for direct deposit into your bank account,
instead of having them mailed.)
If your ex should die before you do, you will get a much greater share
of benefits. And it doesn't matter if he has remarried.
However, if a woman who has been divorced remarries
before age 60, she is no longer
eligible for her first husband's social security.
In that case, if the ex-husband remarries, his current wife is the one
who will be entitled to his social security.
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