Benefits for Widows and Widowers Under Social Security

by | Jan 16, 2024 | Spousal IRA | 38 comments

Benefits for Widows and Widowers Under Social Security




If you are a widow or widower, there are Social Security benefits you should learn about. Don’t miss out on extra money!

Questions? Email us at Hans@CardinalGuide.com, call us at (919) 535-8261, or visit our website at CardinalGuide.com….(read more)


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Social Security is a government-run social insurance program that provides financial support to individuals who are no longer able to work due to retirement, disability, or the death of a spouse. For many widows and widowers, Social Security benefits can be a crucial source of income during a difficult time.

When a spouse passes away, the surviving spouse may be eligible to receive Social Security survivor benefits. These benefits are based on the deceased spouse’s earnings and are designed to provide financial support to the surviving spouse and any dependent children. The amount of the survivor benefit can vary depending on the age of the surviving spouse, the deceased spouse’s earnings history, and whether the surviving spouse is also receiving their own Social Security benefits.

For widows and widowers who have reached full retirement age, they may be eligible to receive 100% of their deceased spouse’s Social Security benefit. If the surviving spouse decides to start receiving survivor benefits before their full retirement age, the benefit amount may be reduced. However, if the surviving spouse delays receiving survivor benefits until after their full retirement age, the benefit amount may be increased.

In addition to survivor benefits, widows and widowers who have not remarried and are caring for a dependent child under the age of 16 (or disabled) may be eligible for additional benefits. These benefits can provide much-needed financial support for the family during a difficult and emotional time.

See also  Understanding the SECURE Act and Retirement

It’s important for widows and widowers to understand their options when it comes to Social Security benefits. Consulting with a financial advisor or social security representative can help them navigate the process and make informed decisions about when to start receiving benefits and how to maximize their potential income. It’s also important for survivors to be aware of the potential tax implications of receiving Social Security benefits and how it can impact their overall financial situation.

Ultimately, Social Security survivor benefits can be a lifeline for widows and widowers who are dealing with the loss of a spouse. By understanding their options and maximizing their benefits, survivors can ensure that they have the financial support they need during a challenging time in their lives.

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38 Comments

  1. @Savannah-ed4rv

    There is one exception to the age 60 rule for widows or widowers and that is if that widowed person is on disability, then you can claim on your late spouse's record at the age of 50. I sure it's a reduced amount but I don't know the entire rule on that. But it is an option if you are on disability and widowed and I believe you need to be on disability for some period of time before the spouse died to be eligible, but don't quote me on that. It's been a long time since I looked at it.

  2. @Elizabeth-qc9gi

    Why are you forgetting that you cannot collect survivors benefits or widow benefits at age 60 or 62 if you are working and making over $21K a year? One year before FRA age 65, you can collect survivors benefits if you are not making over $52K a year? You are not providing an accurate statements.

  3. @darrenfarrell8316

    can you receive ssi and survivor benefits at the same time i was getting 841.00 for ssi and 851,00 for survivor benefits

  4. @Ozarks6Freds

    I just turned 60. My wife died 3 months ago at age 53. Are there any social security survivor benefits in this scenario?

  5. @bobbert1945

    widow or widower? SS did not make up those terms–they've existed far before you were born.

  6. @carolbober-xk5fi

    My husband recently passed away he was on social security disability am I entitled top his social security disability check pg 2500 per month

  7. @erlindamonte852

    How can i claim my benifits my husband was passed away 2016.he was a ss pensioner

  8. @Becca-vi9bx

    is a young widow entitled to benifits? she was in her 20s when she became a widow

  9. @richardargst157

    Greedy seniors. A wife or husband passes away and we are interested in spousal benefits. Shameful behavior.

  10. @jordanbey1890

    A person collecting widow benefits can it lose those benefits if remarried????

  11. @rhezab8885

    can i get any benefits to my american husband even i never been in the usa and we are married here in philippines please waiting for your answer thanks in advance.

  12. @belenvelez7028

    SS benefits of my husband’s that wasn’t awarded to me for I have benefits $5. More than him a month. I also penalized 49% Medicare premium for the reason that I did not enrolled on Medicare when I turned 65 yo, which not true. They deducted a monthly Medicare monthly premium of $ 93 a month started January 2004 until 2008. Then I got a letter penalizing me 49% on my Medicare premiums . My $309 SS BENEFITS WAS BRING TO $42 . If I subscribe for MEDICARE HEALTH SUPPLEMENTAL INSURANCE, I received only $14.95 a month.

  13. @frankdillon6127

    how quick does the SSA need to be notified that a spouse has died? i ask because many older people arnt knowlegeable or able to resopnd in a timely fashion. if the SSA checks keep rolling in that will cause a SSA payback issue which could be bad.

  14. @donnapoolejackofalltrades7827

    I think if you have ex spouse you should be able to get their SSA even if you was not marry for ten years . I think it time to change this law . I also think if you have a children out of we'd lock you should be able to draw that person SSA too . It time to change the law about SSA about being marry for ten years .

  15. @donnacrowell7061

    How come I was told I couldn't get it..
    We lived together from 1996 married in 2003 he passed in 2005. I'm 65 today.

  16. @SlotstheMetaphysicalwa

    you do realize a lot of these men don't just die right??? people are out here marrying these old men and killing them

  17. @dipaknadkarni62

    My wife died on active duty. I was 55 and she was 58.
    I got a check from SS for $200.00.
    The check should maybe be increased as the COLA rises.
    It seems that it might be the original check amount when SS started.
    God bless.

  18. @011219551

    How hard is it for the SSA to find the correct SS# for a spouse that died in 1992? I'm now 67, my x & I were married 11 years. I just found out he died from my SSA lady, that was helping me. My phone appt. is set up for Aug. 11th. Just wondering how hard it is to find all the correct SS#'s. Thanks for your help!!!

  19. @roxanneberzas9062

    What if you get SSDI can you get widows benefit

  20. @robertstevens2030

    I did not pay into SS. Is there a way I can collect a monthly check too?

  21. @manuelvikingo7767

    IM MEXICAN NON US CITIZEN MARRIED WITH AN AMERICAN CITIZEN SHE IS 78 AND IM 80 WE BEEN MARRIED FOR 7 YEARS NOW AND WE LIVE IN MEXICO NOW SHE IS FIGTHING WITH CANCER IF SHE DIES CAN I COLLLECT HER SOCIAL SECURITY ? I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN USA NEITHER HAVE A VISA AND I HAVE NEVER HAD A SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER

  22. @bungageraful

    REPOST: Hi, my mom received a notice of award from SSA "Surviving Spouse" and stated the amount how much she will get monthly. My mom had never been to US so she is required to get there. What visa does she need? or what are other allternative way so she can get her benefits? Thanks..

  23. @charleskatz1583

    if you're age 54 when spouse dies, in order to get the disabled benefit, would you already have to be seeing a doctor or can you go start seeing a dr after your spouse died?

  24. @d4v33j

    My wife and I both worked full time and her yearly income was higher than mine. I assume taking her social security at full retirement age would be larger than mine. If I take survivor benefits at age 60 on her social security, I can later switch to my own benefits at full retirement age. However, if I take her survivor benefits at 60, can I switch to what her benefits would be later (greater than mine) or can I only switch to my benefits? I wonder if it may make sense to forgo survivor benefits at 60 and take her social security at full retirement age.

  25. @anarosefernandez6131

    Good Day!!!

    Im ,Living in Philippines.Im married with American Citizen last year 2011 since my husband left from philippines.Im waiting for my Immigrant 13-A Petition to US.When the Tyhoon Haiyan hit in Philippines i didnt heard my husband anymore..We loss contact each other and just last week i saw him in the news that he died already last October 31,2021.
    Im asking from your office a good advice from you all if i have a benifits that i can claim from my husband loss
    I will appreciate if you will reply me back as soon as possible.Thank You so much.

    Respectfully Yours,
    PHILIPPINES

  26. @dkrob39ify

    Love this info it is very informative thanks.

  27. @terrancsodoms88

    My wife died recently, we were married for 24 yrs.I'm 49 and on ssd disability and wondering am I able to collect her social security at a reduced rate

  28. @braxtonbunch

    You did not mention that a widow or widower can get the deceased spouse's social security benefit before age 60 if they have children 16 or under (and the children get a benefit until age 18). I was widowed at age 40 with 6 children. I got social security for 10 years, until my youngest turned 16, and the children each got a benefit until they turned 18. I can claim mine again at age 60 if I haven't remarried, and get a reduced benefit, or get a full benefit by waiting to 67. Once the kids were grown I went to work, so a better option for me is to claim my own reduced benefit at 62 (since my earnings will be lower than his) and switch to full survivor's benefits at 67.

  29. @miguelbarradas9858

    I am 55 I am widower, she died in 2012 , I will get her survivor benefits when I will be 60 years old , mean wile I plan to work until I am 70 years old, if I am alive, so do you have any advice?

  30. @MsTruthSeekr1

    I am 66 and at FRA. I started drawing SS at age 62. My husband is 57 and retired. His SS benefits statement shows that I may qualify for benefits (if he died now) IF BENEFITS START AT FULL RETIREMENT AGE. I don't understand that statement.

    Does this mean I would receive reduced benefits because HE was not at FRA? Or would I receive full benefits because I am at FRA?

  31. @elainenilsson5472

    I like the example of your wife's age. I am 59 and my husband of age 62 just passed. I can collect 71.5% of his SS at full retirement age which is just over $2800/month. 7 years of 71.5% is $168,000. Wouldn't I want to collect that instead of waiting until my age of 67 to collect $2800/month. If I waited, I would be around age 84 before I broke even. I guess the only other question is where does medicare play into this?

  32. @cathyacosta3452

    I was married to my 1st husband for over 10 years….I collected SSA for myself and my children for the next 14 years. I remarried 14 years after his death. age 46…..Can I claim my 1st husband's SS rather than taking mine…………..I was raising children till 50 and my income never met 1st husband income. Can I claim either husband? Both make more than i did? I am now 62.

  33. @LorenzoRico777

    Thanks Hans. Valuable info. But, what happens if the widow or widower get remarried? Especially if they remarry before 50, 55 or 60? How does that affect the Social Security Survivor’s Benefit? Thank you.

  34. @Not_A_Tourist

    Unless I overlooked it I didn't see you mention that the person who collects their late spouses security beginning at age 60 has the option later to switch over to their own. For example I began collecting my late wife's Social security when I hit age 60, for the amount of around 1250. When I hit a 62 I can switch over to mine and collect about 1450 or I can wait till I'm 67 and collect 2100. Thank you for your videos they are very helpful.

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