Widow(er) Benefits

Dear Mr Kotlikoff:

I am 72 years old and my wife is 58. My social security is near the maximum possible (45,000/year). I want to be sure that when I die my wife will receive my full social security amount. Can she take social security on her record at 62 with out reducing her survivors benefit when I die or should she wait until her FRA?

Gerald

Hi Gerald,

Am dating a widow, female at age 67 and she recieves her late husbands pension from where he worked and his social security. Does she lose either of those if we got married. I still work and my socoal security is higher than hers, I am 69.

Hi,

How do I get widower benefits I was married 22 years he passed away 10 years. Is there any way I can get widower benefits because I can't live on 728 a month that all I get

Hi,

The only way that you could get widow(er) benefits is by filing an application with Social Security. You can initiate that process by calling 800-772-1213.

My sister recently passed away,Her husband is retired. And drawing his SSI. Is he eligible to draw off her SSI?

Hi,

I'm sorry for your loss.

By SSI, I assume that you're referring to Social Security benefits. The surviving member of a couple can generally only be paid the higher of their own benefit rate or their deceased spouse's benefit rate. Therefore, it sounds like your brother-in-law could only qualify for widower's benefits if your sister's benefit rate was, or would have been, higher than his own rate.

Hi Larry,

I am 65, recently retired ss amount is 1224 a month
My husband is 73, his ss amount is 211.00. He receives spousal amt totalling 593.00 (the 211 is taken away). If either of us dies, how would survival or spousal benefit work for my husband? Would my husband be eligible and how much would he be eligible for? Would I lose any ss if he passes first? Thank you.

Hi,

If my spouse worked but was self employed much of the time, do I qualify for SS benefits when I turn 60 in September?? I am receiving survivors benefits from the VA. He passed away on 2011. Thanks

Hi,

I'm sorry for your loss.

I will like to know more widow(er) benefits. (Ssdi) this I know i,am intilliy it belongs to my wife dorothy who I was married to her for 34 years.

Hi,

I'm sorry for your loss.

Hello Larry,
My wife passed in April 2016 she was 53. I am 59 now. Do I have to wait until I am 60 to collect Survivor benefits ?
Thank you

Hi,

I'm sorry for your loss.

The only way that you could qualify for widower benefits prior to age 60 if a) you're disabled or b) you have a child in your care who is either under age 16 or disabled, and the child is eligible for benefits on your wife's record.

Best, Jerry

My wife passed away in 2016 I will be 63 in September and I'm still working can I collect any of her benefits and start collecting my benefits at 66 and 6 months

Hi,

I'm sorry for your loss.

Hi Larry, Iost my wife of 33 years when i was 52 she was 49. I started collecting DIsability 18 months after her passing.
Can i collect any of the funds from my wife's earnings?
Thanks.
Barry

Hi Barry,

I'm sorry for your loss.