We live together. Not married but care for each other. She is 79. I am 82.

[progree]

10. One year. Or 9 months?

An AI response -

To collect Social Security benefits as a currently married person, you generally must have been married for at least one year. For divorced spouses, you must have been married for a minimum of 10 continuous years to collect benefits based on an ex-spouse's record

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https://www.ssa.gov/faqs/en/questions/KA-01999.html

Generally, you must be married for one year before you can get spouse's benefits.

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https://www.aarp.org/social-security/faq/when-spouse-dies/

In most cases, a widow or widower qualifies for survivor benefits if he or she is at least 60 and was married to the deceased for at least nine months at the time of death. There are a few exceptions to those requirements: ...