18 Feb Will I get higher Social Security based on my ex’s record?

Q. I’m divorced and soon I want to start Social Security. I don’t have my ex’s Social Security number. How can I find it to see if I can get a bigger payment on his record?
— Unsure

A. Thanks for your question.

You may be eligible for a larger Social Security benefit based on your ex’s earnings record.

You would have to have been married for more than 10 years to be eligible, said David Carton, partner and co-chair of the matrimonial and family law practice group at Mandelbaum Barrett PC in Roseland.

There are several places to look to find your ex’s Social Security number, he said.

Start with any tax returns filed during the marriage.

“If you don’t have any, you may be able to obtain tax transcripts from the IRS that may show both yours and his Social Security numbers,” he said.

You can also contact the Social Security Administration.

“I am sure you are not the first person to find yourself in this situation,” he said. “You can provide them your Judgment of Divorce, which should include your marriage date, and provided you know his birthday, you may find that is all of the information that you need.”

If none of that is sufficient, you can write or call him and ask for his Social Security number, he said.

“If he refuses to provide it, you may have to avail yourself of relief through the Court,” he said.

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This story was originally published in February 2025.

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