More details to this question:
I am full retirement age and so is my x-husband. SS has advised me that I can receive my SS or half of his, which ever is higher. Mine is higher than half of his. I asked about the combination of benefits to equal his higher SS benefit and they looked at me like a deer in the headlight. At this point, SS has me as receiving only my benefits which are lower than his. "If your spouse has also worked under Social Security--If your spouse is eligible for retirement benefits on his or her own record, we will always pay that amount first. But if the spouse benefit on your record is a higher amount, he or she will get a combination of benefits that equals that higher amount. It doesn't matter if your spouse starts getting benefits before, after, or at the same time you do--we will check both records to make sure that your spouse gets the higher amount whenever he or she becomes entitled to it."
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The "spouse benefit" referred to by the quoted language is one-half of your former spouse's benefit, not his actual benefit amount. "Spouse benefit" means the benefit payable to a person's spouse (or former spouse, in this case). If your individual benefit under your record is higher than the spouse benefit payable under your former spouse's record, which is one-half his benefit, then you would only receive your individual benefit. So it sounds like you are getting the maximum amount you are entitled to.
Answered on Feb 10th, 2015 at 6:15 AM
This answer is being provided as general information and not as legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by this answer.