A prior marriage is one that has ended due to divorce or death of a spouse.
Divorced Spouse's Benefits
If you were married for at least 10 years before your divorce, your ex-spouse may qualify to receive benefits on your record. Or, you may qualify for benefits as an ex-spouse on his or her record.
Note: If you were married to the same person more than once during a 10 year period, you or your ex-spouse may still qualify. We can count those marriages as one if you remarried no later than the calendar year after the year the divorce became final.
We will use the information you give us about your prior marriage along with your other responses to decide if you or your ex-spouse can receive benefits on the other's record.
For more information about divorced spouse's benefits for:
- you, read "If you are divorced."
- your ex-spouse, read "Benefits for your divorced spouse."
Widow's/Widower's Benefits
If you are the widow or widower of someone who worked long enough under Social Security, you may be eligible for benefits on his or her record.
We will use the information you give us about your prior marriage along with your other responses to decide if you can receive benefits on your deceased spouse's record.
For more information about benefits for widows and widowers, read: