Hi Larry ,

If I worked for and am currently living in NYS and my husband passed away approximated 21 years ago in NYS under the current guidelines if I have lost my job and forced to retire early does this situation qualify me for benefits under SS rules?

Hi,

Losing your job in and of itself wouldn't allow you to draw Social Security benefits any sooner than when you meet the requirements for those benefits. The only way that you could collect benefits based on your own earnings history prior to age 62 is if you qualify for Social Security disability benefits.

You must normally be at least age 60 to claim widow's benefits, but you can potentially collect widow's benefits earlier if you're a) disabled or b) if you have an eligible child in your care who's drawing benefits and who's under age 16 or disabled. For the full eligibility rules for widow's benefits, refer to Social Security's handbook: https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/handbook/handbook.04/handbook-0401.html.

Best, Jerry