Social Security survivor benefits from ex-spouse - 71yo already getting my own SS benefits

First, I'm sorry for your loss. Yes, you absolutely can claim survivor benefits from an ex-spouse as long as your marriage lasted at least 10 years and you haven't remarried before age 60. Since you're already collecting your own retirement benefit, you would receive the higher of the two amounts - not both combined. If his benefit was higher than yours, they'll essentially "top up" your payment to match what his benefit amount would be. As for the callback, unfortunately SSA is extremely backlogged right now. A week is pretty standard for callback times, sadly. You might actually have better luck going in person if you can make the drive, especially for survivor benefits which often require additional documentation.

i had to wait THREE WEEKS for a callback last month!! its ridiculous how they treat seniors. dont hold your breath waiting

You definitely should apply as soon as possible. SSA only pays benefits from the month you apply, not the month your ex passed away, so every month you wait is a month of higher benefits you might miss out on. I went through this with my ex-wife's benefits when she passed in 2024. The key numbers to know are: 1. Your current benefit ($2,150) 2. Your ex's full benefit amount ($3,000) If your divorce was final for at least 2 years before filing for benefits, and your marriage lasted 10+ years, you'll receive the difference between your amount and his amount (roughly $850 extra per month in your case). Don't wait for a callback - it could honestly be weeks. Make an appointment or go in person.

I'm in a similar situation and just went through this. Don't wait for callback. Use a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) - they got me through to a live agent in about 20 minutes instead of waiting days for callback. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU For survivor benefits specifically, you really want to talk to someone right away since benefits are only paid from application date. My agent told me they're seeing 2-3 week waits for callbacks right now due to staffing issues.

THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO MAKE US GIVE UP!!! I waited 3 weeks for callback that never came then DROVE an hour to SS office only to be told I needed appointment!! Wasted trip!! They're deliberately making it hard to get benefits we PAID FOR all our working lives!!!!

My sister lost her ex last year too. She got about $450 extra a month by switching to his benefit. The way they calculate it is weird though... something about your FRA and his FRA and when you both started collecting. My sister was already 73 when she applied so it was pretty simple but I think there's reductions if you're under FRA.

Thank you all for the helpful replies. I used the Claimyr service this morning and it worked - got through to an agent in about 15 minutes! The agent told me based on our benefit amounts I'm likely eligible for about $820 additional per month. I have an in-person appointment next Tuesday to bring in my documents and finalize everything. They also confirmed they use the application date for benefits, not the date of death, so I'm glad I didn't wait longer!