Yes, if you are divorced, you can get widow’s or widower’s benefits from your ex-husband or ex-wife if your marriage lasted at least 10 years, you are unmarried at the time of filing and you are not entitled to a higher Social Security benefit on your own record. As a widow or widower, you can receive:
- Reduced benefits as early as age 60 or full benefits at full retirement age or older OR
- Benefits as early as age 50 if you are disabled AND your disability started before or within seven years of your ex-husband or ex-wife’s death.
You do not have to meet the age or length-of-marriage rule if you are caring for your child who is younger than age 16 or who is disabled and also entitled based on your ex-husband or ex-wife’s work. The child, however, must be your natural or legally adopted child.
For more information on widows, widowers and other survivors, visit: http://www.socialsecurity.gov/survivorplan/
