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Social Security and Medicare Questions Q: Recently my former husband passed away. We were married for 23 years when we divorced. I remarried at age 63 but I`m divorced again after only 5 years of marriage. I`ve been told I will no longer be able to draw spouse benefits because our marriage did not last 10 years. My own retirement benefits are very low. May I get benefits based on my deceased former spouse`s work/earnings record even though his widow receives benefits? A: You may be entitled to divorced spouse survivors benefits. Generally entitlement to divorced spouse retirement or survivors benefits ends with remarriage. Because you did not remarry until after age 60 and you are now divorced, you will probably be entitled to a divorced spouse widow`s benefit if higher than your own retirement benefit. Depending on your situation, you may also be entitled to up to six months in retroactive benefits. You must apply. Call your local Social Security office to find out what documents you need and to schedule an appointment for your application. For more information on this topic, see `Social Security & Medicare Questions,` The Social Security & Medicare Advisor, Dec./Jan. `01, V6#2 This article first appeared in Volume 6, Issue 5 of "The Social Security and Medicare Advisor" newsletter (April/2001). To receive future editions of "The Advisor" in its special, free e-mail version, please click here. | ||||||||
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