Ask Larry

my first husband died in 1998 I got his social security because I were on s s disability I remarried at 61 I still got my first husband widower benefit, My second husband had a hearth attack he pass in 2011 I was told I could not continue to receive my first husband benefit is that correct?

Hi,

I'm sorry for your loss.

You could continue to receive benefits on your first husband's record after your second husband's death, but you couldn't receive survivor benefits on both husband's records at the same time. So, if you started drawing a higher benefit rate on your second husband's record when he died, your survivor benefits on your first husband's record would stop.

Best, Jerry