Dear Larry,
My wife passed on February 14, 2021 and she was collecting Social Security Disability, I did receive her last Social Security deposit just last month June.
My question is what benefits am I entitled to?
She was 64 when she passed and I was 59 just turned 60 on 7/10.

I turn 60 in two months, can I collect survivor benefits on my late wifes SS/benefit and continue to work my fulltime job up until I turn 66 ? I am guessing that there is a penalty (reduced amount) for filling at the early age of 60 and also for being a fulltime wage earner while collecting benefits. Is there a realistic approach to my situation? Thanks for your time

If you die before claiming retirements, how would the survivor retirement benefit be calcuated? Assuming the surviving spouse had no other benefits and claimed at the survivors full retirement age. Would it be based on the FRA ie full retirement age , of the spouse who pre deceased? Would it be based upon the maximum benefit at age 70?

My wife died last year. She was receiving SSDI. I'm 57 now.

At age 60 I can begin survivors benefits (at a reduced 71.5% rate). Would the amount of my first payment be increased by the COLA amounts for each of the four years between her death and then?

Thanks,
Scott

Hi Scott. I'm sorry for your loss. Yes, your future widower's rate would include credit for all Social Security cost of living increases that occur after your wife's death.

Best, Jerry

My wife was 69 and passed away after only married three and a half months.social security said I can’t clam her benefits, that we had to be married for one year.is there any way this could be changed.thank you for your assistance.

My spouse just passed away at the age of 65yrs.
Am 54 years old, am I eligible for her social security?

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.