Can I collect Social Security as a divorced spouse if my ex-spouse remarries?
Yes. When it comes to ex-spouse benefits, Social Security doesn’t care about the marital status of your former spouse; it only cares about your marital status.
Ex-spousal benefits are earned by being a partner in a marital unit for at least 10 years. Your status as a partner in that unit stands, whether or not your ex-husband or ex-wife marries again. However, if you remarry and become part of a new marital unit, your eligibility for benefits based on the previous unit ends.
Keep in mind
There is a narrow exception to the remarriage rule. You can continue to collect benefits on a living ex-spouse’s record if your new husband or wife is drawing certain types of Social Security — specifically, survivor benefits, divorced-spouse benefits or childhood disability benefits.
Reviewed February 4, 2020
Q&A Tool
Find the answers to the most common Social Security questions such as when to claim, how to maximize your retirement benefits and more.
Featured AARP Member Benefits
Join the Discussion
| 0 %{widget}% | Add YoursPlease leave your comment below.
You must be logged in to leave a comment.