Can both ex-wives collect Social Security survivor benefits when ex-husband dies?

Yes, both ex-wives can potentially collect survivor benefits, and yes, survivor benefits can begin at age 60 (unlike retirement benefits which start at 62). Here are the requirements for divorced spouse survivor benefits:1. The marriage must have lasted at least 10 years2. The surviving ex-spouse must be at least 60 (or 50 if disabled)3. The surviving ex-spouse must not be entitled to a higher benefit on their own record4. Generally, the surviving ex-spouse must be unmarried (unless remarriage occurred after age 60)Taking benefits at 60 instead of Full Retirement Age does mean a significant reduction - roughly 28.5% less. But many people need the money right away, so they take the reduction.Importantly, multiple ex-spouses collecting doesn't reduce anyone's benefit amount. Each eligible survivor gets their full entitled amount regardless of how many other people are collecting.

Thank you so much! My sister would have met those requirements - married over 10 years and not remarried. It breaks my heart that she was struggling when she could have received these benefits, even if reduced. Would it be possible for my niece to file retroactively for her mom, or does that opportunity end when someone passes away?

so sorry about your sister!! i had almost the same situation with my cousin who didnt know she could get survivors benifits from her ex. its crazy how SSA doesnt notify people!! the reduction at 60 is pretty big tho, my aunt took it early and i think she gets like $1200 instead of $1700 or something...but still better than nothing when your struggling!!

Thank you! Yeah, even the reduced amount would have helped her tremendously. I'm still in shock that the Social Security Administration doesn't proactively notify people. They clearly knew the ex-husband died and had my sister's info on file from the marriage. Just seems so unfair.

To directly answer your questions:- Yes, a divorced spouse can claim survivor benefits as early as age 60- Yes, both ex-wives can collect survivor benefits if both marriages lasted at least 10 years- The reduction for claiming at 60 is significant - about 28.5% less than waiting until Full Retirement Age- Each eligible survivor receives their own benefit amount - one ex-spouse collecting doesn't reduce what the other receivesUnfortunately, if your sister has passed away, it's too late to file for those benefits retroactively. Survivor benefits cannot be paid after the potential recipient has died, even if they were eligible during the months between the ex-spouse's death and their own passing.This is why it's so important for people to learn about all potential benefits. The SSA generally doesn't notify people about benefits they might qualify for - you have to apply.

This is why the whole SSA system is BROKEN!! How is anyone supposed to know all these complicated rules?? They should NOTIFY eligible people when someone dies who they were married to for 10+ years. They have all the records!!! Instead they just keep quiet and save $$$$ while people suffer. SHAMEFUL.

I had the most frustrating experience trying to reach SSA about survivor benefits after my husband passed. Kept calling for days and either got disconnected or was told the wait was 2+ hours. I finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to a real person in about 20 minutes. They have a video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puUThat agent was actually really helpful and explained all the survivor benefit rules to me, including how the reduction works if you claim early. Might be worth checking out if you need to ask specific questions about your sister's situation.

Thank you for the tip. I'll definitely look into this service. I've been trying to get through to SSA for days now with no luck. Even if it's too late for my sister, I want to make sure I understand all the rules so I can help other family members in the future.

my condolences to your family. when my brother died last year his ex wife got survivors benefits and she was only 60 so yes thats definitely the starting age for survivors. its different than regular retirement. the SSA website says benefits are reduced by 0.396% for each month before FRA which adds up fast!!

Actually it's 0.396% for the first 36 months and 0.2% for any additional months before FRA! That's why the total reduction at age 60 is approximately 28.5% rather than 30%. I encountered this distinction when calculating my own survivor benefit last year. The math is needlessly complicated!

To address your question about filing retroactively - unfortunately, entitlement to survivor benefits ends when a person dies. There's no provision for estates to claim benefits that would have been payable to someone who was eligible but didn't apply before passing away.This is different from underpayments of benefits already awarded, which can be paid to certain family members. But for benefits never applied for, there's no retroactive path after death.I understand how frustrating and unfair this feels. It might be worth speaking with the local SSA office anyway, just to confirm, but I want to set realistic expectations based on my understanding of the rules.

I appreciate your honesty. It's painful to think about how much this could have helped her, but I understand there's probably nothing that can be done now. I'll definitely contact the SSA to confirm, though it's been nearly impossible to reach anyone by phone. I'm going to try that Claimyr service someone mentioned above.

My aunt went thru this!!! She was married to her ex for 25 years, he remarried 2x after her, and all THREE were collecting survivors when he died last year!!! First wife, second wife, third wife - all getting benefits because all marriages were over 10 years! SSA doesn't care how many exes there are as long as each marriage was 10+ years. Each ex-wife gets the SAME AMOUNT too based on his record. My aunt was SHOCKED when she found out the third wife who was only with him 11 years got the same as her after 25 years of marriage!!!

wait seriously??? i had no idea it worked that way!! so the benefits dont get split between all the exes?? thats actually better than i thought. i was worried if my ex remarried and stayed married 10+ years it would reduce what i might get someday.

I want to mention one more important exception to the rules already discussed. If your sister was caring for her ex-husband's child who is under 16 or disabled (and the child gets benefits on his record), she could have received survivor benefits at ANY age without reduction. This is called a

That's really good information, thank you. My sister's children are adults now, but that's helpful to know for others who might be in a similar situation with younger children.

One final thought that might be relevant - if your sister was receiving disability benefits (SSDI) or was eligible for them, the rules would be slightly different. Disabled surviving divorced spouses can claim as early as age 50. Also, if she was within 3 months of 62, there's a possibility of retroactive benefits for up to 6 months (though not before age 60 for survivors).These are edge cases, but I mention them because sometimes these details matter in complex situations. The SSA doesn't always volunteer this information, which is why it's so important to speak with someone who knows all the nuances of the system.

Excellent point about disability. Also worth noting that if the sister was receiving SSI (Supplemental Security Income), survivor benefits would have reduced or eliminated the SSI payment, but likely would have resulted in higher total income. These interactions between different benefit programs can be complex, which is another reason the SSA should be more proactive about informing potential beneficiaries.

I'm so sorry for your loss. This situation highlights one of the most frustrating aspects of the Social Security system - the lack of proactive notification. Your sister absolutely would have qualified for survivor benefits at age 61, even with the early filing reduction. The fact that she struggled financially while being entitled to these benefits is heartbreaking. What many people don't realize is that the SSA has all the marriage records and death notifications, but they don't cross-reference them to notify potential beneficiaries. It's essentially a "you have to know to ask" system, which leaves so many eligible people without benefits they desperately need. Even though it's too late for your sister, I'd encourage you to spread awareness about these rules in your community. Too many divorced spouses, especially women, don't know about survivor benefits. The 10-year marriage rule, the ability to claim at 60, and the fact that multiple ex-spouses can collect without affecting each other's benefits - these are crucial pieces of information that could help other families avoid the same tragedy. Your niece might also want to check if there are any advocacy organizations in your area that help people navigate Social Security benefits. Sometimes they can provide guidance even in complex situations like this.

I'm so sorry for your family's loss. This is exactly the kind of heartbreaking situation that shows how broken the notification system is. Your sister was absolutely entitled to those survivor benefits - at 61, she could have been receiving them for over a year before she passed away, even with the early filing reduction. What makes this even more frustrating is that SSA likely had all the information they needed: her marriage records, the divorce decree showing it was over 10 years, her ex-husband's death notification, and her current status. But instead of reaching out to inform her of her eligibility, the system just... sits there waiting for people to somehow figure it out on their own. I work with seniors regularly, and I can't tell you how many people I've met who missed out on benefits they desperately needed simply because they didn't know these rules existed. The survivor benefit rules are particularly complex, and most people have no idea that divorced spouses can claim benefits, let alone that they can start at age 60. Since you mentioned trying to reach SSA, I'd suggest also trying to visit your local Social Security office in person if phone calls aren't working. Sometimes face-to-face meetings can be more productive, especially when dealing with complex situations. Even though it may be too late for your sister, they might be able to provide some clarity or documentation that could be helpful. Please consider sharing what you've learned with other family members and friends. Knowledge about these benefits could literally be life-changing for someone else in a similar situation.

I'm so deeply sorry for your loss. Reading about your sister's situation breaks my heart - she absolutely would have qualified for survivor benefits and could have been receiving them for over a year before she passed away. What's particularly tragic is that this happens far too often. The Social Security Administration has all the data they need - marriage records, divorce decrees, death certificates - yet they rely on people to somehow know these complex rules and proactively apply. It's essentially a system designed to save money by keeping eligible people in the dark. Your sister met all the requirements: 10+ year marriage, age 60+, and unmarried status. Even with the early filing reduction (about 28.5% less than full retirement age), those benefits could have made a real difference in her quality of life during those final months. While it's too late to help your sister, please don't let her struggle be in vain. Consider reaching out to local senior centers, community groups, or even your local news station about this issue. Many divorced women especially have no idea they're entitled to survivor benefits from ex-spouses. The fact that multiple ex-wives can collect without reducing each other's benefits is something virtually no one knows. You might also want to contact your congressional representatives about this systemic problem. When the government has all the information needed to notify eligible beneficiaries but chooses not to, that's a policy choice that costs lives and causes unnecessary suffering. Your advocacy could literally save other families from experiencing this same heartbreak.

I'm so sorry for your loss. This is absolutely heartbreaking, and unfortunately, it's a situation I've encountered too many times in my work helping people navigate Social Security benefits. Your sister would have been entitled to survivor benefits starting at age 60, and yes, both ex-wives can collect simultaneously without affecting each other's benefit amounts. The early filing reduction at age 60 is significant (about 28.5%), but even the reduced amount could have made a real difference in her financial situation. What makes this particularly tragic is that SSA has all the necessary information - they know when someone dies, they have marriage and divorce records on file, yet they don't proactively notify potentially eligible survivors. It's essentially a system that benefits from people not knowing their rights. While it's too late to file retroactively for your sister (benefits end at death), I'd encourage you to visit your local SSA office in person rather than trying to call. You deserve clear answers about what she was entitled to, even if it's just for closure. Please consider turning this painful experience into advocacy. Contact local senior centers, women's organizations, and community groups to share what you've learned. Many divorced women have no idea they're entitled to survivor benefits from ex-husbands. You might also reach out to your congressional representatives - this notification gap is a policy choice that causes real harm to vulnerable populations. Your sister's struggle shouldn't be in vain if it can help prevent others from facing the same situation.

I'm so deeply sorry for your loss, and I'm heartbroken reading about your sister's situation. This is exactly the kind of tragedy that highlights how fundamentally broken the Social Security notification system is. Your sister absolutely would have qualified for survivor benefits - she met every requirement (10+ year marriage, over age 60, unmarried status) and could have been receiving payments for over a year before she passed away. Even with the early filing reduction, those benefits could have transformed her final months from financial struggle to relative security. What's most infuriating is that SSA had all the pieces: her marriage records, the divorce showing 10+ years, her ex-husband's death certificate, and her current status. Yet they chose to stay silent and let her suffer rather than send a simple notification letter. As others have mentioned, you unfortunately cannot file retroactively after death - benefits end when the potential recipient passes away. But please don't let this be the end of the story. Your sister's struggle could prevent countless other families from experiencing this same heartbreak. Consider reaching out to local media, senior advocacy groups, and your congressional representatives about this systemic failure. Many divorced women have no idea they're entitled to survivor benefits, and the SSA's deliberate silence on this issue amounts to a policy that disproportionately harms vulnerable older women. Your advocacy could literally save lives and prevent the kind of unnecessary suffering your sister endured. Her memory deserves that kind of meaningful action.