Survivor Benefits
How Divorced Spouses Qualify for Survivor Benefits
Verified against SSA POMS as of September 6, 2026
The short answer
A surviving divorced spouse can qualify for Social Security survivor benefits based on a deceased former spouse's earnings record if the marriage lasted at least 10 years immediately before the divorce became final.
Survivor benefits can begin as early as age 60, or age 50 for a surviving divorced spouse who meets Social Security's disability requirements. At survivor full retirement age, the surviving divorced spouse is entitled to 100% of the survivor benefit available on the deceased former spouse's record. If benefits begin before survivor full retirement age, the survivor benefit is reduced based on the survivor's age when benefits begin.
Eligibility Criteria for Divorced Spouse Survivor Benefits
To qualify for surviving divorced spouse benefits, the individual must:
- * Have been married to the deceased former spouse for at least 10 years immediately before the divorce became final;
- * Be at least age 60, or at least age 50 and meet Social Security's disability requirements;
- * Be unmarried, unless the remarriage meets an exception under Social Security's remarriage rules; and
- * File an application for survivor benefits.
The deceased former spouse must have been fully insured, meaning the worker had sufficient Social Security coverage for survivor benefits.
RS 00207.001 View source ›How Much Can a Surviving Divorced Spouse Receive?
At survivor full retirement age, the surviving divorced spouse is entitled to 100% of the survivor benefit available on the deceased former spouse's record.
If survivor benefits begin before survivor full retirement age, the benefit is reduced based on the survivor's age when benefits begin. Survivor benefits can begin as early as age 60, with a maximum age-based reduction of 28.5%.
The deceased worker's claiming history can also affect the survivor benefit available. Delayed retirement credits can increase the survivor benefit, while the deceased worker's early claiming can limit the survivor benefit.
RS 00615.301RS 00615.708Surviving Divorced Spouses and the Family Maximum
A surviving divorced spouse's benefit is not counted when applying the family maximum on the deceased worker's record.
This means a surviving divorced spouse can receive benefits on the same deceased worker's record as a widow(er) or other eligible survivors without the surviving divorced spouse's benefit causing their benefits to be reduced because of the family maximum.
RS 00615.680 View source ›Conversion from Divorced Spouse to Survivor Benefits
If a person is already receiving divorced-spouse benefits when the former spouse dies, the benefit can convert to a surviving divorced-spouse benefit.
If the surviving divorced spouse has reached full retirement age, the conversion can occur without a new application.
If the surviving divorced spouse is under full retirement age but at least age 62, a new application is not required. However, if the individual is also receiving their own retirement or disability benefit, they must elect to receive the reduced survivor benefit before full retirement age. Otherwise, the survivor benefit can begin at full retirement age.
RS 00207.005Frequently asked
Can a surviving divorced spouse receive benefits if they remarry?
Yes, surviving divorced spouse benefits can still be received if the remarriage occurred after age 60. Remarriage before age 60 typically disqualifies the beneficiary from collecting survivor benefits on the former spouse’s record.
Do surviving divorced spouse benefits get reduced if claimed early?
Yes, surviving divorced spouse benefits are reduced if claimed before reaching full retirement age.
Can both a current spouse and a surviving divorced spouse receive survivor benefits on the same worker's record?
A qualifying widow(er) and surviving divorced spouse can both receive survivor benefits on the same deceased worker's record. The surviving divorced spouse is not counted when applying the family maximum, so their benefit does not cause the current widow(er)'s benefit to be reduced.
Can I receive my own retirement benefit and a surviving divorced spouse benefit?
Yes, but not at the same time. Survivor benefits are not subject to deemed filing, so you can claim one benefit without being required to claim the other. This can allow you to claim one benefit first and switch to the other later if it results in a higher benefit. For example, you could claim a surviving divorced spouse benefit first and delay your own retirement benefit to earn delayed retirement credits, then switch to your own benefit later if it becomes higher.
What if I was married to more than one person for at least 10 years and both former spouses have died?
If you meet the survivor eligibility requirements on more than one former spouse's record, you may qualify for survivor benefits on more than one record. You would not receive the full survivor benefit from each record added together; SSA would determine the benefit payable based on the available records.