Surprising Social Security survivor benefit rules
Impact of divorce and remarriage
Divorced spouses who were married for at least 10 years are eligible for the same survivor benefits as widows or widowers. Surviving spouses and ex-spouses who remarry before you reach age 60 (age 50 if disabled) cannot receive benefits as a surviving spouse/ex-spouse unless that subsequent marriag ends. But if they wait until age 60 or later to remarry (age 50 if disabled), they will continue to qualify for benefits on a deceased spouse's Social Security record even if married to someone else.