Hello Larry,

I’ve been searching for information on the web regarding my situation, but it still leaves me with questions. I turned 60 years old May of 2019. My husband passed away November of 2019. He was 71 years old and was disabled when he was 48 years old. His SS monthly amount at passing was $1873. I’m currently getting a survivor benefit, $1545 monthly. I recently found out that I have a very serious case of spinal stenosis. I’m trying to determine what will happen with my survivor benefit if I were to become disabled. When I look at the SS website I see where my disability benefit would be $1791. Prior to the threat of disability, I was planning on living on my survivor benefit, supplement with my retirement funds and then switch to my SS benefit at age 67 for $1756 or wait to age 70 for $2200. I would greatly appreciate your evaluation of my situation and provide your conclusions!

Hi,

I'm sorry for your loss, and sorry to hear about your diagnosis.

You can't be paid both Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits and your full widow's benefit at the same time. If you become eligible for SSDI you could only be paid the higher of your SSDI benefit rate or your widow's rate, which in your case is apparently your SSDI rate. So, your widow's benefits would be suspended when your SSDI starts. Your SSDI benefits would then convert to regular Social Security retirement benefits at the same rate when you reach full retirement age (FRA).

If you qualify for SSDI benefits you'd be eligible for Medicare coverage 2 years after your initial month of entitlement to SSDI. If you choose not to file for SSDI, you could let your own benefit rate grow until age 70 while continuing to collect your reduced widow's benefits. But, you wouldn't then be eligible for Medicare until you reach age 65. You'll have to decide which option sounds like the better choice for you.

Best, Jerry