Do I still file as Single like I have for 13 years? My ex-husband died Christmas Eve, 2016 and I began to get his social security benefit each month, instead of mine.

[kbmarno]

- married for 34 years and he never remarried
- the SS department calls that a widow's benefit

[DoninGA · Accepted solution]

If you were not married on 12/31/2017 then you file as Single.  It does not matter that you will be receiving Social Security benefits based on your ex spouse's earnings, that cannot change your marital status.