All Social Security benefits are based on the primary number holder’s Primary Insurance Amount (PIA), which is calculated by applying a complicated formula to your entire work history. I’m assuming that the figures you quoted are based on earnings and benefit statements that you and your ex-wife received, disponibilite. These statements should have shown the amount you will be due at ages 62, 65 (or your “full retirement age”) and 70. The amount you would receive at your full retirement age is also your PIA; the amount at age 62 is reduced for age and the amount at age 70 is increased for “delayed retirement credits.” Spouse benefits are based on one-half of the number holder’s PIA, reduced for age if necessary; delayed retirement credits are not given to spouses. If your ex-wife’s PIA is greater than one-half of your PIA, then no spouse’s benefit is payable on your record. When you or her apply for benefits, the office handling your applications will be able to verify the exact amounts due each of you.
In the event of your death, she is entitled to a survivor benefit which is based on the benefit you are receiving (or entitled to) at that time, assuming she is not currently married.
Spouse and survivor benefits for current and former spouses are each calculated as if the other does not exist, so if you were to remarry that would not affect your ex-wife’s eligibilty or benefit amount.
Hope this helps.
OK— I think I got it.
It was pretty much what I expected and have encountered as far as I understood reading the SS rules.-------
---- If my ex-wife’s benefits on her own is more than half what I get, then she is pretty much screwed as far as tapping into my SS. And so she might as well not confuse things and just use her own benefits since that is all she will get anyway.
Isn’t that so. N’est-ce pas? Nicht wahr?
Just curious though---------suppose her personal benefit was just slightly under the 50% margin, (and not as in her case just slightly over) would she be able to get the same as my full benefit? Or is it pro-rated in some way?
I don’t work at SS, Disponibilite, but my understanding is that she gets whichever amount is higher; hers or the benefit based on your record.
Lurkmeister, can I ask you a question? I’m retired and have to bring an “award letter” for my pension. I’m retired from federal service and I don’t have this. Do you know what SS is looking for? (thanks Palikia)
disponibilite - If someone is eligible for both retirement and a higher spouse’s benefits, the spouse’s benefit is adjusted (reduced) by the amount of the retirement benefit. There is an advantage of being eligible for both spouse’s and retirement benefits if you are under 65; the age reduction applied to retirement benefits is a smaller percentage than that applied to spouse’s benefits, and if you’re eligible for both the age reduction of the spouse’s benefit is applied to the difference between the unreduced benefit. This results in a higher combined reduced benefit being payable than just the reduced spouse’s benefit.
Yes, SSA rate calculations are a complex PITA; that’s why I get the Big Bucks 
suezeekay - What SSA needs is verification of the amount of your federal pension, the date you were first eligible for the pension, the effective date of the pension, and whether the pension was based on employment not subject to Social Security tax (FICA) withholding. It’s possible that the amount of your SSA benefit will need to be adjusted if you are receiving a pension from work that was not subject to FICA withholding, such as CSRS instead of FERS.
Gee, maybe I should start an “Ask the SSA Benefits Expert” thread. Although I’d better check my “Standards of Conduct” book first - there may be some regulation against it. Don’t want to risk my own pension.