Ask Larry

My father is 93 years old. My father remarried after my mother's death. He and new wife were married 10 years. His then wife died 3 years ago. She was 88. Her social security was more than my father's. Is my father entitled to survivor's benefit from her social security pension? If the wife was receiving survivor's benefit herself (from her deceased husband)at the time of her death, is there any compensation to my father?

Hi,

If your father's ex-wife's benefit amount on her own Social Security record was higher than his benefit amount, he could potentially receive surviving divorced husband's benefits. However, if she was receiving survivor benefits on a previous spouse's record, your father would not be entitled to any part of those benefits.

Best, Jerry