How long must you be married to collect survivors benefits?

To qualify for Social Security survivors benefits, a person generally must have been married to the deceased worker for at least nine months immediately prior to their death. This duration is specified in Social Security regulations to ensure that there is a bona fide marriage that meets the criteria for benefits. Therefore, the correct choice reflects the required marriage length for a surviving spouse to be eligible for these benefits. If the marriage lasted less than nine months, a surviving spouse may not qualify for the benefits, except in certain situations, such as if the death was due to an accident. Understanding this requirement is essential for those seeking to claim benefits after the loss of a spouse.