Byline: Neil Downing
Oct. 7--QUESTION: I am divorced. Can I get my ex's Social Security? ... I was married for over 18 years. Do they automatically figure out how much his is, and how much mine is, and give me the higher of the two, or is this something I have to ask for?
--J.F. Cranston
ANSWER: A divorced spouse is generally eligible to collect Social Security benefits based on the ex-spouse's record of work and earnings, said Lita Epstein, author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Social Security and Medicare.
But it's not automatic; you should contact the Social Security Administration to see if you're eligible, Epstein said in a telephone interview from her ...