Survivor Benefits
Understanding Survivor Benefits and Remarriage Impact
Verified against SSA POMS as of September 6, 2026
The short answer
Remarriage can affect eligibility for Social Security survivor benefits depending on the survivor's age when the remarriage occurs.
A widow(er) or surviving divorced spouse who remarries after attaining age 60 can still qualify for survivor benefits on a deceased spouse's record. Remarriage before age 60 can prevent eligibility, although special rules apply to certain disabled widow(er)s and disabled surviving divorced spouses who remarry after age 50.
If a remarriage that prevents eligibility later ends by death, divorce, or annulment, survivor benefits on the prior spouse's record may become available again.
General Rules for Survivor Benefits
A surviving spouse may be eligible for a Social Security survivor benefit based on a deceased spouse's earnings record. Survivor benefits can generally begin as early as age 60, or age 50 if the survivor has a qualifying disability.
At survivor full retirement age, the survivor benefit can generally be up to 100% of the benefit available on the deceased worker's record. If survivor benefits are claimed before survivor full retirement age, the benefit is reduced based on the survivor's age when benefits begin.
A surviving divorced spouse may also qualify for survivor benefits if the marriage to the deceased worker lasted at least 10 years and other eligibility requirements are met.
RS 00207.002Effect of Remarriage on Survivor Benefits
Remarriage Before Age 60
Remarriage before age 60 generally prevents a widow(er) or surviving divorced spouse from qualifying for survivor benefits on the deceased spouse's record while the subsequent marriage continues.
Remarriage After Age 60
Remarriage after attaining age 60 does not prevent a widow(er) or surviving divorced spouse from qualifying for survivor benefits on the deceased spouse's record.
For disabled widow(er)s and disabled surviving divorced spouses, a similar exception may apply to remarriage after age 50, provided the applicable disability requirements are met.
RS 00207.003 View source ›If the Remarriage Ends
If a remarriage that prevented survivor eligibility later ends by death, divorce, or annulment, the individual may once again qualify for survivor benefits on the prior deceased spouse's record.
Entitlement can generally begin with the month the subsequent marriage terminates, assuming the individual meets the other eligibility requirements.
RS 00207.003 View source ›Frequently asked
Can I receive survivor benefits if I remarry after age 60?
Remarriage after attaining age 60 does not prevent you from receiving survivor benefits on a deceased spouse's record. If you also become eligible for benefits based on your new spouse's record, you can compare the available benefits to determine which provides the higher amount.
If I remarry before age 60 and that marriage later ends, can I receive survivor benefits from my deceased spouse?
If the subsequent marriage ends by death, divorce, or annulment, the marriage may no longer prevent you from qualifying for survivor benefits on the prior deceased spouse's record, assuming all other eligibility requirements are met.
Can I receive survivor benefits from a deceased spouse while married to someone else?
If you remarried after attaining age 60, the current marriage does not prevent you from receiving survivor benefits based on your deceased spouse's record. Special rules may also allow certain disabled widow(er)s or disabled surviving divorced spouses who remarry after age 50 to remain eligible.
If I qualify for both my own retirement benefit and a survivor benefit, do I receive both?
No. You do not receive your full retirement benefit plus your full survivor benefit. However, survivor benefits are not subject to deemed filing, so you may be able to claim one benefit first and switch to the other later if that results in a higher benefit.
Does a surviving divorced spouse have to have been married to the deceased worker for 10 years?
A surviving divorced spouse must have been married to the deceased worker for at least 10 years immediately before the divorce became final to qualify for survivor benefits on that record.