If you are the divorced spouse of a worker who dies, you could get benefits just the same as a widow or widower, provided that your marriage lasted 10 years or more.
Benefits paid to you as a surviving divorced spouse who meets the age or disability requirement as a widow or widower won’t affect the benefit rates for other survivors getting benefits on the worker’s record.
Note: If you remarry after you reach age 60 (age 50 if disabled), the remarriage will not affect your eligibility for survivors benefits.
If you are caring for a child under age 16 or disabled who is getting benefits on the record of your former spouse, you would not have to meet the length-of-marriage rule. The child must be your former spouse’s natural or legally adopted child.
However, if you qualify because you have the worker’s child in your care, your benefit will affect the amount of the benefits of others on the worker’s record.
Hoang Le Tax, Insurance & Financial Services
404 International Blvd, Oakland CA 94606
http://blog.hoangleservices.com/social-security-benefits
Office: (510) 433-5047 | Cell: (510) 697-9559
Fax: (510) 779-5588