When your ex-husband dies, where does the remaining money go to, if not used up?

Hi,

Social Security is an insurance program designed to help replace income lost due to death, disability or old age. It is not an individual retirement account that can be passed on to heirs. Any taxes that a person pays remain in the Social Security trust fund unless and until either that person or their eligible dependents or survivors meet the requirements for entitlement to Social Security benefits. As it true with most insurance programs, there is no guarantee that you or any any of your relatives will ever be able to collect benefits based on your contributions to the program.

Best, Jerry