Can I still claim ex-husband's Social Security survivor benefits if I remarry at 62? Married 10+ years

Yes, you CAN still receive survivor benefits based on your deceased ex-husband's record even if you remarry, as long as that remarriage occurs after you turn 60. The 10+ years of marriage requirement applies to divorced spouse benefits (when ex is still alive), but since you were married 15 years, you meet that requirement anyway. The SSA specifically allows for this exception to help protect older Americans' financial security. When you apply, make sure to bring both your divorce decree and your ex's death certificate.

I went through almost this exact situation last year. My ex passed away and I was planning to remarry at 61. I was having TERRIBLE anxiety about losing benefits and couldn't reach anyone at Social Security (called for weeks!!!). I finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an actual SSA agent in under 10 minutes. They confirmed everything - remarriage after 60 doesn't affect survivor benefits from a deceased ex-spouse. Their video demo shows how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU. Saved me weeks of stress and uncertainty!

Just to add some additional information - you should know that you have options regarding WHEN to claim these survivor benefits. You could take reduced survivor benefits as early as age 60 (or 50 if disabled), and then switch to your own retirement benefit at your Full Retirement Age (FRA) if that would be higher. Or you could take your own reduced retirement benefit at 62 and then switch to the unreduced survivor benefit at your FRA. It depends on the relative amounts and your financial needs. This strategy of switching between benefit types is still allowed even with the newer SS rules.

You should be careful though because Social Security rules are VERY confusing and they change them all the time without telling anyone!!!! My aunt got remarried at 63 and they DID take away her benefits and she had to fight for MONTHS to get them back. The people at the SS office don't even know their own rules half the time. Make sure you get EVERYTHING in writing!!!

Just curious - does anyone know if this same remarriage rule applies to SSDI? My sister is on disability and thinking about getting married but worried about losing benefits. Not trying to hijack the thread but thought someone here might know since we're discussing marriage and benefits.

the 60 rule is correct i got remarried at 61 after my husband died and still get his ss which is way more than id get on my own. but make sure u bring every document they ask for to your appointment otherwize theyll make u come back again and its such a pain dealing with their office

wait i'm confused...doesnt the 10 year rule only apply if ur divorced? if ur actually married when they die dont u get survivors benefits regardless of how long u were married? or am i thinking of something else

Thanks everyone for all this helpful information! One last question - does anyone know if I need to go to the Social Security office in person to apply for survivor benefits, or can I do it online? Their website is a bit confusing to navigate.

I just wanted to chime in as someone who works with seniors on benefit planning. The advice here is spot-on - remarriage after age 60 does NOT affect your ability to collect survivor benefits from a deceased ex-spouse. This is one of the most misunderstood Social Security rules, and unfortunately many people make major life decisions based on incorrect information. The key points to remember: 1) You were married 10+ years (15 in your case), 2) Your ex has passed away, and 3) You'll be remarrying after age 60. All boxes checked! Don't let fear of losing benefits delay your happiness. Just make sure when you apply that you emphasize it's SURVIVOR benefits from a deceased ex-spouse, not regular divorced spouse benefits, as some SSA reps get confused between the two.

As someone who recently went through a similar situation, I want to echo what others have said - you're absolutely right to plan ahead! I was in almost the exact same boat (divorced after 14 years, ex passed away, remarried at 63). The remarriage after 60 rule definitely applies to your situation. One thing I'd add that hasn't been mentioned yet - when you do apply, consider asking about filing a "protective filing date." This basically locks in your application date even if you don't have all your paperwork ready yet, which can be important for back-pay calculations. Also, don't be surprised if the first SSA representative you speak with seems uncertain about the rules - I had to speak with a supervisor to get the correct information. The peace of mind knowing you can remarry without losing those benefits is worth all the research!

I'm really glad to see this discussion happening because these Social Security rules can be so confusing for people in complicated situations like yours. Just wanted to add one more perspective as someone who's helped family members navigate similar issues - it's worth noting that the survivor benefit amount you'll receive is based on what your ex-husband was receiving (or entitled to receive) at the time of his death, not necessarily his full retirement age benefit. If he had already started collecting Social Security before he passed away, that could affect the calculation. Also, since you mentioned you're 60 now, you might want to consider whether it makes sense to start collecting reduced survivor benefits now (at 85.7% of the full amount) versus waiting until your full retirement age for the unreduced amount, especially given your remarriage plans. The financial planning aspect can be just as important as understanding the eligibility rules!