Real Answers for Life’s Money Challenges
I am 63 years old, disabled and collect SSDI.
We were married from 1980 until 2017.
She was the plaintiff in the divorce and filed on the basis of irreconcilable differences.
I dont have a copy of our marriage license, but I do have the divorce decree.
I have no way of obtaining her Social Security number.
She currently lives in Florida.
(Her return address on the alimony checks is a Florida address.)
She was born in 1959.
She is currently, or had been self-employed as a licensed mental health counselor.
I dont know her current employment status now, as we have no contact with each other.
Therefore, I dont know if she has filed for Social Security benefits.
-R.
Dear R.,
Youd qualify for spousal benefits based on your ex-wifes earnings.
But that probably wont do you much good.
Social Security doesnt allow for double-dipping.
you’re free to receive your own benefit or aspousal benefit, but not both.
Social Security gives you whichever one is higher.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits are based on your own earnings.
Essentially, your benefit is calculated as if youd reached full retirement age.
But the maximum spousal benefit is just 50% of the other personsfull retirement agebenefit.
This doesnt have to be a guessing game, though.
you’re able to call Social Security and provide them with the information you have about your ex-wife.
That way youll know with certainty that youre not leaving money on the table.
Even if youd stayed married, you wouldnt have been entitled to that money.
So where does that leave you?
You know that youre facing a potential $360 budget shortfall.
So you have two years to prepare.
If you own your home and have significant equity, consider taking out areverse mortgage.
It sounds appealing right?
Check it out here!
You should also investigate whether you qualify for benefits beyond your SSDI payments.
A good place to start isbenefits.gov.
For example, maybe youd qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or aMedicare Savings Program.
You only need to replace about $90 a week.
These limits will probably rise slightly in 2023.
Youre probably on a tight budget already.
But at least you have time to prepare.
Use the next two years to explore alternative sources of income and benefits.
Robin Hartill is a certified financial planner and a senior writer at The Penny Hoarder.
Send your tricky money questions to[email protected].