My survivor benefits were cut after 4-5 yrs, I care for our daughter who has a Disability and is 17yrs old and still attending High School. Also she have other 3 kids all over 18 that doesn’t attend high school and never Graduated what should I do

Hi Larry, I wanted to learn more about the widows and widowers program from social security and would I possibly qualify? I am 49 years old and my wife passed away six years ago. At the time, our son was 18 months old. I’ve fortunately been able to raise him as best I can without his mom but since being laid off things have become more difficult. Additionally, I think almost being 50 has not helped in my job search. My son does receive monthly social security payments based on my wife’s work history.

Thanks,
Mark

Larry, my sister-in-law, passed away last year at age 50. She and her surviving ex-husband, were the same age (he is now 51). They have three children, one of whom is under 16 (he's 11) and is currently collecting monthly survivor benefits on his mother's record (I believe it comes to 75% of her benefit amount; the other two children are over 18). My questions: Can the surviving ex-spouse also collect survivor benefits (which I believe would also be 75% of her benefit), given that he is now the sole caretaker of their young son who is under 16?

I was with my husband for 20 yrs. Married 7. He died at 35. My income was more than his. I am on disability so they said I can't claim survivor benefits. We had no children. That was in 2001. Is it true I can't get survivor benefits?

Hi. I'm sorry for your loss. I'm assuming that you were still married to your husband at the time of his death, since you would need to have been married for at least 10 years to potentially qualify for survivor benefits as a divorced spouse.

I am a 59 yr old mother and grandmother. I worked all my life raising 3 kids alone. I met someone at the same time my work went out of business. He worked on a dredge boat and we happily traveled around Alabama mostly (some Florida) with his job. We lived like we were married from 2004 till he died in 2019. I couldn't work because we moved every month or week with his job. I was totally dependent on him. He claimed me on his taxes and his perdium went in a separate account which I used to take care of home(camper we traveled in) He died from lung cancer without much notice.

Hi Larry, I’m thinking of applying for a domestic relationship with my boyfriend but I want to make sure doing so I it won’t disqualify me from collecting my ex deceased spouse’s social security. I’m 57
Thank you

Hi. Being in a non-marital relationship such as a domestic partnership won't prohibit you from qualifying for survivor benefits on the account of a former spouse.

Best, Jerry

I turned 66 in November. I applied for benefits to start in March. I’ll receive approximately $3300, monthly. My spouse is 65 and has been receiving benefits ($1100 monthly) since she turned 62, based on her earnings. What’ happens to her benefit going forward and upon my death?

Me and my partner wasn’t married we lived together for 30 yrs had a child together. I had my name changed to his last name and still go by it. He was drawing his Social Security full amount due to a accident in 2005 he passed away in 2016. Should I apply for benefits or is a waste of time I’ve been told different things

I'm 61, I was born 4-21-60, my husband died September 10-2010. When do I qualify for or when should I apply for survivor benefits.

Could you please confirm the following: If an individual is between age 60 and FRA and they are receiving Child in Care Benefits and their spouse passes away, it appears that the individual can stay on CIC benefits until their full retirement age and at that time the benefits would automatically convert to Widow's Benefits at their FRA meaning they would receive a Widow's Benefit equal to whatever the deceased spouse was receiving at the time of their death including any Delayed Retirement Credits?