Larry, my sister just found out her ex-husband of more than 10 years died in August. He had filed for Social Security in 2017 and was receiving a monthly benefit of about $2700. She will turn 66 on Feb. 2 of 2019. She has been told by a SS representative that she can file for a deceased divorced spousal benefit now and get payments back to his death. When she asked if she should wait until her FRA she was told it wouldn't make any difference, the payment would be the same. Is this correct?

My ex-husband, whom I understand I am eligible to collect off him due to being married for 25yrs. and I never re-married, was on social security disability for 2 yrs. and then passed away at age 58. My question is would I receive the same amount he was collecting when he passed, if I wait till age 66? He had more paid into social security than I do. We never knew where he was but I did receive his social security statement and it said if you were to die today your spouse would receive 1700.00. Would that be an accurate gage?

I will be 60 in a few months and have applied for my divorced deceased ex spouse benefit with SSA. The representative said that I fall under new regs implemented a few years ago and that I will be notified a few months prior to my 62nd birthday requesting that I apply for my own social security benefit. If I don't then my divorced deceased ex spouse benefit will be suspended. I asked for the POM Manual regs.

Hi Larry,

I am receiving spousal benefits from my ex-husband as well as my own SS benefits which brings me up to 50% of his PIA. Upon his death would I qualify for his "full" benefit amount? Can you explain the death benefit?

Thank you very much,
Irene

Hi Irene,

Is a divorced widow required to apply for her X husband's social security. I have a client whose apartment rent is based on income and it would dramatically increase should she HAVE TO accept his benefit rate? This might force her to move...

Hi,

No one is actually required by Social Security to file for benefits, but there can be consequences for not filing. For example, if a person is receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) they must file for any Social Security benefits for which they are eligible or else their SSI payments will stop.

Can I receive full ex-spouse survivor benefits if I took either of these options first
1. Take ex-spousal benefits ( half his record) at 66 leaving my record to grow to age 70. I would be receiving about $200 less than on my own record for those four years to get about $300 more for life at 70. If I am eligible for full ex-survivor benefits I would be receiving about $800 more than my age 66 benefit and about $500 more than my age 70 benefit, depending on the death of my ex-husband

I married my current husband at 60+ years of age and am currently 80 years old. My ex husband of 38 years died July 2016. Am I eligible to receive spousal benefits?

Hi,

I am 60 and presently married for the 2nd time. My ex-husband was a CEO and had substantial income particularly at the end of his career (in excess of $1 million a year). I was married to my ex-husband for over 10 years and have now been divorced from him for over 15 years. I plan to apply for reduced benefits under my account at age 62 -- my PIA is 1350. Then to apply at age 64 for excess spousal benefits (once my husband [PIA 2900] has begun receiving his benefits -- he plans to file for benefits at age 65).

Hi Larry, I've been divorce from my first husband in 1989, he passed away in 1996, since then I've remarried twice, I am now on Disability, am I egibile for his benefits?

Hi,

My 86 yr old mother was married 3 times. For a number of years, she has been drawing SS spousal benefits from her 2nd husband. Can she also draw SS spousal benefits from her 3rd husband (my dad). They were married for more than 10 years when they divorced and he is now deceased.

My dad was also a veteran of 2 wars. He was drawing VA benefits when he died. Is my mother eligible for any veterans benefits because of his service? Thank you.

Hi,