I am 62 years old and started collection Survivor Benefits at 60. When I reach full retirement age will I still be able to collect the Survivor Benefit? If so will I be able to collect at 70 if I can wait that long to retire? I know my benefit will be much higher at 70. Thanking you in advance for your time.

Hi,

I am 67 years old and was thinking about taking SS when I turn 68. I looked at the SS website and found out that I am eligible for survivor benefits because my husband died in 1982 so I can get benefits now without affecting my benefits at 70. I went to the SS office and they said that I can get 6 months of retroactive payments on survivor benefits but no more. Are there any exceptions to this rule? SS was aware of the death because my late husband had children who received benefits. They started to send me checks but I had to return the money because I wasn't eligible.

can my wife get survivor benefits (social security) and draw her own social security monthly payout

Hi,

Your wife couldn't be paid her own Social Security benefits and a full survivor benefit at the same time. The most she could receive is the higher of those 2 benefit rates. If the survivor rate is higher, she would be paid her own benefit rate plus a partial survivor rate equal to the difference in the 2 rates. In other words, the 2 benefits would simply add up to the higher survivor rate.

Best, Jerry

Hi,
My husband recently past away after 3 months of marriage. He supported my grandmother the entire time we were dating and married ( 6 years). She is my legal guardian. Would she be able to receive his social security survivors benefit? I’m too young to receive it as I’m in my 30’s and he past away at age 60. Thank you.

Hi,

I'm sorry for your loss.

My nephew was living with a girl when he died. He was never married and was a veteran. If she has his social security number can she in anyway collect his benefits.

Hi,

It doesn't sound like it. Social Security survivor benefits can potentially be paid to children, parents, spouses and ex-spouses only. Some states recognize common law marriages, but that requires an intent to marry (https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0200305075).

Best, Jerry

Hi
I am 52 and have been receiving SSDI since 11/2014. My husband passed in
4/2001. I received benefits that matched my son's until he turned 19. Right
now I receive $1,124 per month in disability. Would I be able to draw against
my husbands SS, he was 36 when he passed? I remarried in 6/2008 and we have
been separated for 2 years. How does that effect everything? Is there
anything else I might qualify for?

Hi,

1) I'm receiving survivor benefits. In October, I expect to turn 62. Can I file for my own benefits at 62 and at age 66 and 4 months resume my husband's benefits?
2) Before my husband passed, he had filed for disability and received one month of social security benefits of approximately $2400. After he passed, my daughter (who was under 16 when he passed but is now 17) and I each began receiving just under $2,000 monthly. Once my daughter stops receiving benefits because she is past the age of eligibility, can I receive my husband's higher rate of about $2,400?

I have been denied any social security widow's benefits from my late husband's social security.

My birthday was May 3 1951. So I am full retirement age and have been since May 2017.

I have a social security history that has put me in the position of having extremely incorrect information being provided to me directly by social security specialists.
I could really use some help.
I will try to be clear.

My husband will be 66 in July 2018 and I will be 66 in Jan. 2019, 6 mos. after him. I plan to take my benefit at 65 1/2 (when he reaches 66) so that he can receive a spousal benefit on my record. When he is 70, he will take his own benefit. I know that my benefit will always be reduced because of starting 6 mos. before my full retirement age of 66. My question is will my survivor benefit (consisting of my husband's benefit increased by delayed ret. credits) also be reduced because I started my own benefit at 65 1/2?

Hi,

I am 60 years old disabled receiving the SSDI benefits since 2006. My mom died last year and my dad passed away in 1994. Am I qualified for the survivor's benefits?

Hi,

I'm sorry for your loss.