Ask Larry

can I collect on my late husband's social security? How long did we have to be married?

Hi,

I'd need more information to answer your question. In general, you must have been married for at least 9 months in order to be potentially eligible for widow's benefits, although there are exceptions. To be potentially eligible for survivor benefits on an ex-spouse's record from whom you were divorced, you would need to have been married for at least 10 years. Full eligibility requirements for widow's benefits can be found here: https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home%2Fhandbook/handbook.04/handbook-0401.html, and full eligibility requirements for surviving divorced spousal benefits can be found here: https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home%2Fhandbook/handbook.04/handbook-0403.html.

Best, Jerry