How long do you have to be married to someone to get their Social Security benefits?

Qualifying widow(er)s must have been married to the deceased spouse for at least 9 months and have not remarried before the age of 60 (50 if disabled) ( SSA 2007b).
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on ssa.gov


Do you have to be married 10 consecutive years to collect Social Security?

The following requirements also apply to your divorced spouse if your ex-spouse's eligibility for benefits is based on your work. If you're divorced, you can receive benefits based on your ex-spouse's work if: • Your marriage lasted 10 years or longer. You're unmarried. You're age 62 or older.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on ssa.gov


When a husband dies does the wife get his Social Security?

These are examples of the benefits that survivors may receive: Widow or widower, full retirement age or older — 100% of the deceased worker's benefit amount. Widow or widower, age 60 — full retirement age — 71½ to 99% of the deceased worker's basic amount. Widow or widower with a disability aged 50 through 59 — 71½%.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on ssa.gov


How long do you have to be married to someone to qualify for their Social Security benefits?

What are the marriage requirements to receive Social Security spouse's benefits? Generally, you must be married for one year before you can get spouse's benefits. However, if you are the parent of your spouse's child, the one-year rule does not apply.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on faq.ssa.gov


Can my second wife get my Social Security?

The worker is eligible for the higher benefit, but he or she can't choose to take just the spousal benefits and allow his or her own benefits to keep increasing until age 70. If you remarry, you cannot receive benefits on your former spouse's record unless the new marriage ends (by death, divorce, or annulment).
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on elderlawanswers.com


How Long Do You Have To Be Married To Get Spouses Social Security



Can ex-spouse collect Social Security if remarried?

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.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on aarp.org


Which wife gets the Social Security?

Generally, the same payment rules apply to divorced wives and widows as to current wives and widows. That means most divorced women collect their own Social Security while the ex is alive, but they can apply for higher widow's rates when the ex dies.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on ssa.gov


At what age can a widow draw her husband's Social Security?

The earliest a widow or widower can start receiving Social Security survivors benefits based on age will remain at age 60. Widows or widowers benefits based on age can start any time between age 60 and full retirement age as a survivor.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on ssa.gov


What is the best Social Security strategy for married couples?

3 Social Security Strategies for Married Couples Retiring Early
  1. Have the higher earner claim Social Security early. ...
  2. Have the lower earner claim Social Security early. ...
  3. Delay Social Security jointly and live on savings or other income sources.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on fool.com


Can you collect your ex husband's Social Security?

If you are divorced, your ex-spouse can receive benefits based on your record (even if you have remarried) if: Your marriage lasted 10 years or longer. Your ex-spouse is unmarried. Your ex-spouse is age 62 or older.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on ssa.gov


Can ex wife claim my pension years after divorce?

Though a pension can be divvied up between spouses during divorce, that division isn't automatic. Your soon-to-be ex would have to make a specific request for a share of whatever you've accumulated before the divorce is finalized.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on investopedia.com


Do married couples get 2 Social Security checks?

Not when it comes to each spouse's own benefit. Both can receive retirement payments based on their respective earnings records and the age when they claimed benefits. One payment does not offset or affect the other.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on aarp.org


Which spouse should collect Social Security first?

The higher earner is the spouse with the larger primary insurance amounts (PIA). When you're deciding who will collect first and who should wait, consider having the lower earner collect first and having the higher earner wait.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on investor.vanguard.com


Do I lose widows benefits if I remarry?

Remarrying after turning 60 (50 if disabled) has no effect on survivor benefits. But if you wed before reaching that age, you lose eligibility for survivor benefits on the prior marriage.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on aarp.org


How does a second marriage affect Social Security benefits?

If you remarry between the ages of 50 and 59 — you can't get benefits. Note: If you remarry before you turn 60 and that marriage ends, you may become entitled or re-entitled to benefits on your prior deceased spouse's earnings record.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on blog.ssa.gov


Does a wife get 50 of husband's Social Security?

You can receive up to 50% of your spouse's Social Security benefit. You can apply for benefits if you have been married for at least one year. If you have been divorced for at least two years, you can apply if the marriage lasted 10 or more years.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on money.usnews.com


Can you collect Social Security from two husbands?

Yes, you can. Notify the Social Security Administration that you were married more than once and may qualify for benefits on more than one spouse's earnings record.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on aarp.org


What benefits will I lose if I get married?

To receive SSDI, you have to fit the Social Security Administration's (SSA's) definition of disability, but you can be unmarried or married. Getting married won't ever effect SSDI benefits that you collect based on your own disability and your own earnings record.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on nolo.com


What is ex wife entitled to after divorce?

Generally, a former spouse is entitled to claim against your money or assets at any point up until they re-marry unless a financial consent order has been approved by the court. Many separating couples are under the impression that getting divorced breaks all financial ties.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on divorce-online.co.uk


Can I stop my ex wife from getting my Social Security?

There's nothing anyone can do to prevent their ex from claiming their Social Security. Even though some divorce decrees specify that one spouse will relinquish their rights to collect the other spouse's benefits, the Social Security Administration says these provisions “are worthless and are never enforced.”
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on tampabay.com


How much of my ex husband's Social Security can I get?

The most you can collect in divorced-spouse benefits is 50 percent of your former mate's primary insurance amount — the monthly payment he or she is entitled to at full retirement age, which is 66 and 4 months for people born in 1956 and is rising incrementally to 67 over the next several years.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on aarp.org


Does my Social Security get reduced if my ex wife collect?

Does my divorced-spouse benefit decrease what my ex gets from Social Security? No. Receiving benefits on the earnings record of your ex-spouse will not change what that person can receive from Social Security. They'll collect the benefit they're entitled to, regardless of whether you claim an ex-spousal benefit.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on aarp.org


Can I collect my ex husband's Social Security then switch to mine?

Can I collect Social Security as a divorced spouse and wait to claim my own retirement benefit? In most circumstances, no. You can only file what Social Security calls a “restricted application” to claim ex-spousal benefits alone and postpone claiming your retirement benefits if: You were born before Jan.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on aarp.org


Do I have to support my wife after divorce?

As long as the couple remains married, the court does not set a time limit on spousal support. Maintenance on the other hand, is support the higher-earning spouse pays after the divorce is finalized.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on longislandlitigators.com


Is my wife entitled to half my savings?

If you live in one of the community property states – Arizona, Wisconsin, California, Washington, Idaho, Texas, Louisiana, New Mexico or Nevada – the law treats all the money you saved as being equally owned by both of you.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on finance.zacks.com
Next question
Is Piper the best companion?