Ask Larry

Will I Be Eligible For Any Benefits From My Ex-Husband's Social Security?

I was married less than ten years and my x husband passed. Will I be eligible for any benefits from him. I never remarried?

Hi,

Assuming that you don't have a child in your care who is under age 16 or disabled and who qualifies for benefits on your ex-husband's record, then no, you won't be eligible for benefits on your ex's record if you were divorced from him at the time of his death. In order to qualify for divorced survivor benefits, you must have been married to the deceased for at least 10 years (https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/handbook/handbook.04/handbook-0403.html).

Best, Jerry

Posted: 
Dec 3 2020 - 9:11am
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