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I didn't know this, maybe others of us don't either. I was talking with the lady that cleans our house, she's been divorced from her husband for almost 20 years now. She was telling me that ex-wives are eligible for a % of their ex-husbands Social Security Benefits when he turns a certain age (not sure what age that is, could be earlier than 65 with reduced benefits). You had to have been married for at least 10 years. You keep your full benefits that you're entitled to, this does not impact them, it's in addition to your own. I looked it up at the Social Security website and it's accurate information (wanted to be sure before passing this along). Your ex does not have to know you applied and this will take NOTHING away from his benefits. I don't know what the % is but if this applies to any of the ladies out there I think it might be well worth looking into. Also, if your present husbands benefits outweigh yours substantially, you can opt to take half his benefits as your own instead, (while still leaving him with 100% of his) if it would equal more than your own. Maybe everyone knows this information, I certainly didn't! My husband and I are far from SS age, and maybe when we get there it won't be available, but it is now for those who qualify!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Spanish Revival,

I do know this, but it's good information to pass along.

In Texas, senior exemption for property tax begins at age 65. It locks the percentage of school tax in your county. (Your property evaluation can go up causing a rise in the amount you pay, but your percentage does not.) My sister-in-law is 9 months older than her husband. I told them they needed to file for the exemption. HE ARGUED WITH ME! That they did not qualify because HE as "head of the house" was not 65 yet. When he did go check into it, I was right - of course. When I asked for my fee, he laughed. WELL!

There is a catch to drawing on your ex's SS. You can't be married to someone else and recv payment. You also can not draw your own benefit and an ex's also.

djklm... I talked with someone yesterday who basically told me the same thing, I believe what you're saying is indeed correct. I'm going to look into this further and post back when I get additional information, thanks!

I know this because of going through things like this with both parents.Also if you have been married more than once and both marriages were 10 yrs.+.You can chose which one you want to draw pension off of.My DM wants to draw her SS off her 1st hubby,because it would be more ** than she is getting from my DF.She has been married to my DF for 52 yrs.and her 1st DH for 11 years.UGH,I dont agree with her about this one bit!!

Same way with VA benfits too.As long as you didnt remarry or are divorced from 2nd hubby.You can get VA off 1st hubby in the military.I had to listen to all this onfo when I took DM to refile.It's a hassel but I learned some things.

jackierenette, I don't know how financially stable your DM is, but if there's a significant difference is the two, I would also draw the highest amount of the two. Even "just" $50 per month is $600 per year!

When I turn 66 I'll be looking into the same situation. My first marriage was 25 years. I have 15 years into this one, so far.

My aunt did not draw off her ex's (my uncle) basically because it was $5 or $10 per month more. He is still living and she said if he found out he'd just hate her more.

Hmmm, may have to consider getting a divorce... (I'm kidding!)