Surviving a Divorced Spouse: Collecting Social Security Benefits
Posted on:7/1/2009
Written By: Chris Robideaux
| One thing many aren't aware of is that if your divorced spouse dies, you can still receive benefits as a widow/widower. That is, if the marriage lasted 10 years or longer and you are age 60 or older (or age 50 if you are disabled). |
One thing many aren't aware of is that if your divorced spouse dies, you can still receive benefits as a widow/widower. That is, if the marriage lasted 10 years or longer and you are age 60 or older (or age 50 if you are disabled). As well, benefits paid to a surviving divorced spouse who is 60 or older (age 50 if disabled) will not, in fact, affect the benefit rates for other survivors receiving benefits.
Also, you do not have to meet the length-of-marriage rule if you are caring for a child under age 16 and is disabled, or who is getting benefits on the record of your former spouse. (The child must be your former spouse's natural or legally adopted child.) However, if you qualify because you have the worker's child in your care, your benefit will affect the benefit amounts of others on the worker's record.