Q & A
I will be 74 in May 2014 and took Social Security retirement at 66 in 2006. I was divorced from my spouse in August 2006 after 21 years of marriage. My current Social Security retirement benefit in 2014 is $755. My spouse’s benefit at the time was about $200 a month more. Can I fix this? I receive no income from his higher benefit and I may be eligible. At the time, I was told there was nothing more coming to me. Is it too late? Your previous columns have indicated what I have always thought — Social Security people often give out inaccurate and untimely information. You have shown the complexities of the Social Security law, which is very helpful.
Answer: I’d triple check that they actually know to whom you were married. Also, if your ex has now passed away, you will be eligible for a divorced widow’s benefit, not a divorced spousal benefit (which is lower). So check if your ex is still alive and then head over to the local Social Security office and see if they owe you anything.
Source: LAURENCE KOTLIKOFF, www.pbs.org
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