Can I switch from current survivor benefits to my ex-husband's Social Security benefits when he dies?

Yes, you can switch to the higher benefit! Being entitled to survivor benefits from multiple relationships doesn't mean you have to stay with the first one. Social Security will pay the highest benefit you're eligible for. Since you were married to your ex for over 10 years, you meet the duration requirement for divorced spouse survivor benefits. When he passes, contact SSA immediately to apply for the higher survivor benefit based on his record.

OMG i'm so sorry about your husband and now your ex too!! the ssa rules are SUPER confusing about this stuff, i swear. i think you can get the higher one but when my aunt tried something similar they gave her all kinds of problems and she had to appeal. make sure you keep copies of EVERYTHING you submit!!

My condolences on your losses. This happened to my sister last year - she was able to switch from one survivor benefit to another higher one. Just make sure you have marriage certificates and death certificates for both spouses when you apply.

Exactly what the first responder said. The 10-year marriage duration rule is key here for divorced spouse survivor benefits. Since you were married for 14 years, you qualify. When your ex passes, you'll need to provide SSA with: 1) Your marriage certificate to your ex, 2) Your divorce decree, 3) His death certificate, 4) Your current spouse's death certificate. One important note: Make sure you contact SSA promptly when your ex passes. Survivor benefits can only be paid retroactively for up to 6 months from your application date. If you wait too long, you could lose out on some payments. The difference between $1,850 and $2,600 is $750/month - that adds up quickly!

I tried to call SSA about a similar situation and was on hold for THREE HOURS before getting disconnected! So frustrating! Have you tried using Claimyr to get through to a real person? I found it at claimyr.com and it saved me so much time - they called SSA for me and then connected me once they had an agent on the line. They have a video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU. Way better than wasting a whole day on hold!

You definitely CAN switch to the higher benefit. Social Security will pay the highest benefit you're eligible for - they don't trap you in the first one you receive. I went through this exact situation in 2024. My first husband died in 2019, then my ex-husband (married 12 years) died in 2024. I was able to switch to his higher benefit. However - and this is important - don't wait for SSA to figure this out for you. When your ex passes, you need to specifically apply for survivor benefits on his record. They won't automatically calculate and compare the two potential benefits. You have to initiate the process. Bring both marriage certificates, both death certificates (when applicable), and your divorce decree. Good luck!

my mom tried 2 do this and the ssa said no at first. had 2 talk to supervisor. always ask for supervisor if they say no!!

Also did anyone tell you about the lump sum death benefit??? It's only $255 but better than nothing I guess. You can get that when your ex passes too if you're eligible for his survivor benefits

One additional point about the transition: when you apply for the higher survivor benefit, you'll continue receiving your current benefit until SSA processes the new claim. Then they'll switch you to the higher amount. This processing can take 2-3 months. If your ex-husband passes away, I'd recommend setting up an appointment with your local office rather than just calling the national 800 number. Face-to-face appointments tend to result in fewer errors for these complex cases.

I'm so sorry for your loss and what you're going through with your ex-husband's illness. This is such a difficult situation emotionally, but I wanted to add one more practical tip that might help. When you do apply for the higher survivor benefit, make sure to ask SSA to calculate the exact amounts you'd receive from each spouse's record. Sometimes the calculations can be more complex than they appear - factors like cost-of-living adjustments, early retirement reductions, and government pension offsets can all affect the final amount. Don't just assume the higher earner will always result in the higher benefit. Have them run the numbers for both scenarios so you can make the most informed decision. Wishing you strength during this challenging time.

I'm so sorry for your losses and what you're going through. This is such a difficult situation to navigate during an already emotional time. Based on what everyone has shared, it sounds like you should be able to switch to the higher benefit, but I wanted to add one thing that might help with the process. When you do apply for the survivor benefits from your ex-husband's record, consider bringing a trusted friend or family member with you to the appointment. These conversations can be overwhelming when you're grieving, and having someone there to take notes or ask follow-up questions can be really helpful. Also, don't hesitate to ask the SSA representative to explain anything you don't understand - they should be patient and thorough in explaining your options. The fact that you're planning ahead and asking these questions now shows you're being smart about protecting your financial future. Take care of yourself during this difficult time.

I'm so sorry for your losses and what you're going through. This is truly a difficult situation to navigate. Based on what others have shared, it sounds like you should definitely be able to switch to the higher benefit when the time comes. One thing I'd add is to keep a detailed record of all your interactions with SSA throughout this process. Write down the names of representatives you speak with, reference numbers for your calls, and dates of all communications. This can be invaluable if there are any delays or complications with your claim. Also, if you're comfortable doing so, you might want to have a gentle conversation with your ex-husband about ensuring his SSA records are up to date - sometimes earnings records can have gaps or errors that could affect benefit calculations. It's a sensitive topic given his condition, but it could save you headaches later. You're being so proactive by planning ahead, and that's going to serve you well. Take care of yourself during this incredibly challenging time.

I'm so sorry for what you're going through - losing your husband and now facing your ex-husband's terminal illness must be incredibly difficult. The good news is that yes, you can absolutely switch to the higher survivor benefit when the time comes. Since you were married to your ex for 14 years (well over the 10-year requirement), you're eligible for divorced spouse survivor benefits. A few practical tips from what I've learned: When your ex passes, don't wait - apply immediately since they only backdate survivor benefits 6 months. Make sure to specifically request an application for survivor benefits on his record (don't assume they'll automatically compare the two). And definitely ask them to calculate both benefit amounts to confirm which is actually higher after all adjustments. One thing that might help now is to call SSA and ask them to give you an estimate of what your survivor benefit would be based on your ex-husband's current earnings record. This way you'll know exactly what to expect and can plan accordingly. You can also ask them to make a note in your file about your situation so there's a record when you need to apply later. Stay strong - you're handling a really tough situation with grace and wisdom by planning ahead.

I'm so sorry for your loss and what you're going through with your ex-husband's illness. This community has given you excellent advice - you absolutely can switch to the higher survivor benefit when the time comes. One additional resource that might help: if you're comfortable using online tools, you can create a my Social Security account at ssa.gov. This will let you view your current benefit information and potentially get estimates for different scenarios. It's especially helpful for keeping track of all your SSA interactions and having a record of your benefit history in one place. Also, when the time comes to make the switch, consider asking SSA to put the approval in writing. Sometimes there can be confusion months later about which benefit you're receiving or why it changed, and having that documentation can save you from having to re-explain your situation. You're being incredibly thoughtful and proactive during such a difficult time. This planning will really help ensure you get the maximum benefit you're entitled to. Take care of yourself.