Alert
Close

Help those devastated by the Oklahoma tornadoes. Click here to donate today and AARP will match your gift

AARP Membership: Just $16 a Year

Highlights

Open

AARP® Prescription Discounts Provided by Catamaran

Members can print a free Rx discount card

AARP Salutes Our Heroes

Thanks to the veterans who served our country

Savings Icon

Tanger Outlets

Access to a free coupon book

Technical Icon

Black Community

How to live your best life

Tell Us Your Story

Let us know how the new health care law helps you

today's
news

work
PROGRAMS

Best Employers for Workers Over 50

See the latest winners of this AARP recognition program.

National Employer Team

See which companies value older workers.

Employer Resource Center

Attract and retain top talent in a changing workforce.

most popular
ARTICLES

Viewed

Recommended

Commented

Ask the Experts

Collecting Social Security on Dead Spouse’s Record

  • Text
  • Print
  • Comments
  • Recommend

Q. My husband and I divorced after three years of marriage. We remarried each other, and he died three months later. Can I collect Social Security based on his work record?

A. Yes. If you were married when he died, and he had worked long enough to be eligible for Social Security, then you are eligible for benefits as the surviving spouse.

However, if you remarry before age 60, you cannot receive benefits on his record as long as you remain in the new marriage. But remarriage after age 60 (or age 50 if you’re disabled) will not bar you from getting benefits based on his work record.

For more on survivor benefits, go to the Social Security Administration at www.ssa.gov/ww&os2.htm.

Source: Social Security Administration

Topic Alerts

You can get weekly email alerts on the topics below. Just click “Follow.”

Manage Alerts

Processing

Please wait...

progress bar, please wait

Tell Us WhatYou Think

Please leave your comment below.

You must be signed in to comment.

Sign In | Register

More comments »

Your Work

Jobs You Might Like

Discounts & Benefits

From companies that meet the high standards of service and quality set by AARP.

Life Insurance

Members can receive term, permanent coverage AARP Life Insurance Program from New York Life.

Auto Insurance

Members can receive lifetime renewability with AARP® Auto Insurance Program from The Hartford.

Red car fuel door with dollar bill, Fuel cost calculator

Members can estimate their fuel costs with the Fuel Cost Calculator powered by Cost2Drive.

Member Benefits

Members receive exclusive member benefits & affect social change. Renew Today

Being Social

Featured
Groups

watercooler

The Water Cooler

Expand your job network, find new leads and share tips for getting ahead. Discuss

entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurs

Find the start-up resources and advice you need to be your own boss. Discuss

Employment Networking Group

Networking

Connect with others who are seeking employment. Join