Can I claim survivor benefits from first husband after second divorce? Married 20 years

Yes, you should qualify for survivor benefits from your first husband based on what you've shared. Since your first marriage lasted more than 10 years and your second marriage has ended, you can claim survivor benefits from your first husband. The remarriage after 60 rule doesn't even apply to you since you're currently unmarried. Call SSA to file an application as soon as possible because survivor benefits can only be paid from the time you apply.

my situation was almost the same!! married 18 yrs to first hubby, divorced, remarried at 54, divorced again. when my first ex died i got survivors and it literally saved me. make sure you have his death certificate when you apply!

I'm not sure the other posters are right. I think the 60 year old remarriage rule DOES matter. Did you turn 60 before you remarried? If not you might be ineligible. SSA rules are SUPER confusing about this stuff and I spent hours reading about it when my ex died.

You are eligible for survivor benefits based on your first husband's work record. The key factors that make you eligible: 1) your first marriage lasted over 10 years, 2) you are currently unmarried, and 3) you are at least 60 years old (you're 63). Important financial consideration: If you claim survivor benefits now at 63, they'll be reduced because you're claiming before your Full Retirement Age. You might want to consider claiming survivors now and switching to your own benefits later if yours would be higher at age 70. The SSA won't automatically tell you about this strategy, so make sure to ask about your highest potential benefit combination when you speak with them.

Just make sure you bring ALL your documents when you go to SSA! They made me come back 3 times because I didn't have everything - marriage certificates from BOTH marriages, divorce decrees from BOTH divorces, my ex's death certificate, my birth certificate AND my social security card. It was a nightmare!

im confused do u get more from his record than ur own? my sister tried to get her exes SS when he died but they told her her own was higher so she had to take that instead. might want to check the amounts before getting ur hopes up

Thank you everyone for your helpful responses! I'm going to gather all my documents this weekend and try to schedule an appointment with SSA next week. I'll definitely ask about the strategy of taking survivor benefits now and possibly switching to my own later. And I'll check out that Claimyr service if I have trouble getting through on the phone. I'm so relieved to know I likely qualify for these benefits - it's been a tough year financially.

One more tip - if you're able to, try to get an in-person appointment rather than doing everything over the phone. I found the local SSA office staff were much more helpful and patient in explaining all the options. They were able to run scenarios showing me exactly what I'd get with survivor benefits versus my own benefits at different claiming ages. Also, don't let them rush you during the appointment - this is a big financial decision that will affect you for years, so make sure you understand all your options before signing anything. Best of luck with your application!

I'm so sorry for your loss, and I'm glad you found this helpful community! Just wanted to add one important detail that might affect your timeline - survivor benefits can actually be paid retroactively for up to 6 months before your application date, but only back to the month you became eligible (which would be the month your first husband passed away). Since he died in August and you're applying now, you shouldn't lose any benefits, but this is good to know for anyone else reading. Also, when you do apply, make sure to ask about Medicare eligibility too - sometimes survivor benefits can affect when you can enroll. The SSA staff should cover this, but it's worth mentioning explicitly. Wishing you all the best with your application process!

I just wanted to chime in as someone who went through a very similar situation about 3 years ago. I was married to my first husband for 22 years, remarried at 58, then divorced again at 61. When my first ex-husband passed away, I was also really confused about the eligibility rules. The good news is that everyone here is giving you solid advice - you definitely qualify! One thing I'd add is to be prepared for the SSA to potentially ask for additional documentation beyond what others have mentioned, like proof that your first husband was receiving Social Security benefits (they should be able to look this up, but sometimes they ask anyway). Also, don't be discouraged if your first call or visit doesn't result in immediate approval - sometimes it takes a few interactions to get everything sorted out, but persistence pays off. The financial relief when those benefits start coming in is huge, especially when you're struggling. You're doing the right thing by applying, and this community's advice will serve you well!

I'm sorry for your loss and the financial stress you're dealing with. Based on everything shared here, it sounds like you have a strong case for survivor benefits. One small thing to add - when you gather your documents, make sure to get certified copies of your marriage and divorce certificates rather than just photocopies. Some SSA offices are pickier about this than others. Also, if your first husband had military service, mention that during your appointment as it might affect benefit calculations. The folks here have given you excellent advice about the claiming strategies. I'd especially emphasize what others said about asking to see the actual dollar amounts for different scenarios - survivor benefits now vs. waiting, your own benefits at different ages, etc. Having those concrete numbers will help you make the best decision for your situation. Hang in there, and I hope the process goes smoothly for you!