Hi,. I am a 62 y.o female. I am on SSDI and have been for about 6-7 years. My husband, who is 67 now collects his regular amount of s.s, since turning 62 I think. He has cancer and has been on s.s for about 10 years. If my husband passes away before me, will I collect the larger of the 2 s.s amount? (That would be my husband's). Isn't there a widow's disability or something like that. I am disabled, which is why I'm on s.s. We we're victims of identity fraud and lost Everything. We only have our s.s money to live on. I can collect a small amount from UPS when I turn 65. But it will be next to impossible to live on the s.s and a small retirement from UPS. We had to sell our home at a loss. Hopefully you can tell me some good news!!! Thanks

Hi. Yes, provided that you're at least full retirement age (FRA) when you start drawing widow's benefits. The surviving member of a couple can be paid up to the higher of their own benefit rate or their deceased spouses full rate, but widow's benefits can be subject to a reduction for age if taken prior to the widow's FRA. The fact that you're disabled wouldn't make any difference in how much you'd be eligible for as a widow.

However, if your husband started drawing reduced Social Security retirement benefits at age 62, then you'd likely get his full reduced rate even if you start drawing widow's benefits prior to FRA. But, if your husband is collecting Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits rather than retirement benefits, then you'd likely need to be at least FRA when you start drawing survivor benefits in order to get your husband's full higher rate.

Best, Jerry