Of course. First, could you tell me if you are divorced?
Yes. In fact, I have been divorced from my former husband a year ago.
I understand. Did your marriage last 10 years or longer?
No, less. Much less. We've been together for a year, then we married and this lasted for another four years. A year ago, in July we had a big argument and in September last year we eventually divorced.
I see. Are you currently unmarried then?
Yes, I haven't remarried since then.
In that case you fulfill one of the requirements, but you still need to have been married for 10 years or longer to receive benefits.
That's a bummer, but I understand. If that would have been the case, would I have gotten more retirement benefits?
Yes. If you fulfill the requirements, you get an additional amount on your ex-spouse's record so that the combination of benefits equals that higher amount.
Damn. If I had known that, I wouldn't have divorced him so early. I would have gotten a higher amount, right?
Correct. You would have gotten an additional amount on your ex-spouse's record.
But only if the benefit on my ex-husbands record is higher, yes?