If you are divorced (even if you have remarried), your ex-spouse may qualify for benefits on your record if you are 62 or older. In some situations, he or she may get benefits even if you're not receiving them yet. (If your spouse will also receive a pension based on work not covered by Social Security, such as government work, his or her Social Security benefit on your record may be affected.)

Take a look at the fact sheet, "Government Pension Offset," for more information. To qualify on your record, your ex-spouse must:

• Have been married to you for at least 10 years;
• Be at least 62 years old;
• Be unmarried; and
• Not be eligible for an equal or higher benefit on his or her own Social Security record, or on someone else’s Social Security record.

NOTE: The amount of benefits your divorced spouse gets has no effect on the amount of benefits you or your current spouse may receive.