Ask Larry

If I Receive Divorced Spousal Benefits Will Social Security Know When My Ex-Spouse Dies And Increase My Benefit Amount?

I recieve a spousal benifit from my ex spouse will ssa know when he passes and increase my benifit?

Hi. The answer is almost certainly yes. Social Security receives notices of death from many different sources, such as reports from relatives, notices from funeral homes, and computer interfaces with the death registries maintained by the various states. Once Social Security receives such a notice, they terminate the deceased worker's benefit payments and automatically convert any auxiliary (e.g. spousal, divorced spousal, child) benefits being paid on the worker's account to survivor benefits.

Best, Jerry

Category: 
Posted: 
Jul 2 2021 - 9:08pm
MaxiFi software running on a laptop
Get What's Yours!
Discover tens of thousands in extra retirement dollars with Maximize My Social Security software!
  • Find your maximized strategy
  • Unlimited what-ifs
  • Step-by-Step filing instructions
  • Our software's lifetime-benefit increase for an illustrative couple earning $65K each and planning to take retirement benefits at 62.

    Results will differ based on your specific case and filing strategy.

Getting Started is Easy
Web-based software. Works on ALL browsers. No download.