What benefits can you get when your ex-husband dies?
James Craig
Published Feb 14, 2026
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) provides surviving ex-spouses with almost the same benefits as widows. If your ex-husband or ex-wife was disabled and receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits and then died, you may be to receive benefits as a surviving ex-spouse.
Can a divorced woman collect Social Security from deceased ex-husband?
A divorced woman’s Social Security benefit can be based on her ex-husband’s earnings alone, her deceased husband’s or deceased ex-husband’s earnings alone, her own earnings alone, or a combination of earnings.
What happens to your social security if you divorce your spouse?
The amount you receive will be no more than 50% of your ex-spouse’s benefit. This is based on benefits they would get at their full retirement age. You can receive a full survivor benefit if your ex-spouse is deceased. You cannot combine your own benefit with an ex-spouse’s benefit
Are there survivor benefits for a divorced spouse?
Eligibility for Divorced Spouse’s Survivors Benefit The requirements and benefits for a surviving ex-spouse are very similar to those provided to surviving spouses (see our article on survivors benefits in general).
Can a deceased spouse receive Social Security survivor benefits?
You can’t receive survivors benefits on your deceased ex-spouse’s record if you are eligible to receive a Social Security benefit on your own record that would be higher than the benefits you will receive on your ex-spouse’s record.
What happens to VA benefits in a divorce?
VA disability benefits do not count as an asset during divorce proceedings under federal law. What that means for veterans and former spouses is that a divorce lawyer or family court judge cannot automatically divide the disability income between the former husband and wife.