[cbarney001]

Hello. I Was married to my first husband for 28 years; he died at age 53. Before I turned 60, I remarried. I am now getting a divorce from my second husband. Since I no longer will be married, may I collect on my first husand's social security /widow's benefits??

[GV70]

In general, you cannot receive survivors benefits if you remarry before the age of 60 unless the latter marriage ends, whether by death, divorce, or annulment.

Normally, if a widow remarries before age 60, she relinquishes her rights to any benefits off her first husband's record. BUT, that is true only while the second marriage is in existence. If the second marriage ends for whatever reason — death, divorce, etc. — then the woman can go back and claim Social Security widow's benefits from husband No. 1's Social Security account.