Widow's vs divorced spouse benefits

[helenh_36]

I was divorced after 16 years of marriage. My second marriage ended when my husband died In 2014. I will be 60 next year. Can i receive widow's benefits, and then switch to divorced spouse benefits at full retirement age?

 

[LdiJ]

I was divorced after 16 years of marriage. My second marriage ended when my husband died In 2014. I will be 60 next year. Can i receive widow's benefits, and then switch to divorced spouse benefits at full retirement age?

I do not know the answer to that question, but have you tried finding the information at ssa.gov?

 

[helenh_36]

Yes. The site covers widow's to self and divorce to self/self to divorce, but not this.

 

[Janke]

No. Once you file on one husband at age 60, you are effectively filing on the other husband. You cannot restrict that application. SSA will decide which is higher and will pay it. You can, however, wait to file on your own record at full retirement age 66ish or even wait until 70 if you apply for widow's benefits before you turn age 62, which is the earliest year to file on your own record. SSA can help you sort this out.

 

[CherylWorthen]

I think it will be better if you take help from insurance agents or directly from the insurance company.

 

[LdiJ]

I think it will be better if you take help from insurance agents or directly from the insurance company.

That is an odd answer since this thread has nothing to do with insurance.

 

[FlyingRon]

If we're talking SSA, you can get benefits on your last husband or when you reach FRA, on your own work history whichever is higher.
You can't get benefits on a divorced husband's history if YOU remarry.