How many years do you need to be married to qualify for Social Security survivor benefits?

The 10-year marriage requirement is for ex-spouse benefits (divorced spouse benefits), not survivor benefits. For survivor benefits, you generally only need to have been married for 9 months at the time of your spouse's death. There are some exceptions to even the 9-month rule for accidents or military service deaths. As a widow, you could be eligible to collect as early as age 60 (or 50 if disabled). The benefit amount depends on a few factors including your age when you claim and whether your husband had started receiving his own benefits.

ur fine with 8 yrs for widows benefits but the 10 yr rule is if u get divorced, thats when u need 10 yrs to claim on their record

I went through this last year when my husband passed. You only need 9 months of marriage for survivor benefits. BUT be careful about when you claim!!! If you take survivor benefits early (before your FRA which is probably 67), they will be permanently reduced! I think it's like 28.5% less if you claim at 60. ALSO, you need to know that you can claim survivor benefits and your own retirement at different times - this is one of the FEW cases where you can still use this strategy!!! This is VERY important to understand.

Just to add some clarity, here's how survivor benefits work for widows/widowers: 1. You need to be married for at least 9 months (with some exceptions) 2. You can claim as early as age 60 (or 50 if disabled) 3. If you claim before your Full Retirement Age (FRA), the benefit is reduced 4. At your FRA, you'd receive 100% of your deceased spouse's benefit amount Importantly, unlike regular retirement benefits, you have flexibility with survivor benefits. You could take reduced survivor benefits at 60 and then switch to your own (unreduced) retirement benefit at your FRA or later. Or take your reduced retirement benefit at 62 and then switch to full survivor benefits at your FRA. This is one of the few remaining claiming strategies that can be optimized after the 2015 budget changes eliminated many others. I'd recommend scheduling an appointment with SSA to discuss your specific situation when the time comes.

When my father died, my mom had only been married to him for 6 years and she still got survivor benefits!!! SSA told her over the phone that she qualified even though it was under 9 months. Wait, now I'm confused... it was definitely more than 9 months but less than 10 years. Maybe there are different rules for different situations? The whole system is SO CONFUSING!!!!

OMG trying to get accurate info from SSA is IMPOSSIBLE!!! I spent 3 weeks calling them daily after my husband passed away last year and either couldn't get through or was given wrong information. They told me I couldn't file for survivor benefits until I was 60 (I'm 57), but then I found out I could have filed for the one-time death benefit of $255. The whole system is broken!

One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet: if you're caring for your husband's child who is under 16 or disabled, you could be eligible for mother's/father's benefits regardless of your age. This is different from widow(er)'s benefits and has different rules. Just mentioning in case it applies to your situation.

KEEP IN MIND that if you work while collecting survivor benefits before your FRA, you'll be subject to the earnings test!!! In 2023 you could only earn $21,240 before they start taking $1 for every $2 you earn above that limit. They don't tell you this stuff upfront!!! I learned the hard way when they reduced my checks because I was still working.

also look into if ur eligible for that $255 death benefit payment, its not much but its something