I wanted to start collecting widow's benefits last year when I turned 60.
I was told over the phone by local Soc. Sec. office that if I did that, I would
be collecting a monthly amount (79% of amount at actual retirement age benefit)
and it would stay that amount even when I reached actual retirement age.
Is this true?

Hi,

Can I receive widowers benefits before I reach full retirement age 66. Receive them when aim 65. Before I file for my own as benefits

Hi,

I will be 62 in November and eligible to begin drawing social security. I may wait and take my social security benefit to get the maximum amount. And that goes to my question which is --- if I wait to take my social security and I die before I take it, is my spouse entitled to any or part of my social security even though I have not applied to receive it?
Thank you.

Hi,

My father-in-law just lost his wife and they were both receiving social security. Will he be able to claim survivor benefits in addition? I believe he receives more than she did, but is struggling without the extra income she brought in from social security. A friend informed us he wouldn't receive anything more.

Hi,

A friend 's wife died four years ago at age 65, my friend did not know he could take the greater of either his or his wife's SS benefit.Four years have past. Can he contact S.S. and collect his wie's SS?

Hi,

Your friend can certainly file for widower's benefits, but he can likely receive no more than 6 months of back pay even if he would have qualified for the benefits before then. Social Security has a 6 month retroactivity limit for unreduced widower's benefits, and no retroactivity is allowed for reduced benefits.

Best, Jerry

My husband and I both receive social security. Mine is twice what his is. If I die can he apply and receive what my benefits are since they are higher than his? We were both full retirement age when we started receiving benefits. We have been married 2 1/2 years as we were both widowed and remarried.

Hi,

I have been told that I can still work while collecting SS for widow benifites. How much can I make a month while doing this? I have an under age daughter still at home also. I just turned 60 in April. My wife passed in 2011.

Hi,

I'm sorry for your loss.

Am I authorize to receive Benefits from Social Security from my deceased wife even if we dont have kids .I am now married.

Hi,

You must be unmarried to be eligible for widow(er)'s benefits, unless you remarried after age 60, or after age 50 and you are eligible for disabled widow(er)'s benefits. You must also be at least 60 years old, or at least 50 and disabled. For more information, refer to Social Security's website: https://www.ssa.gov/planners/survivors/ifyou2.html.

Hi Larry,
I am a widower from my first marriage after 22 years of marriage. My wife passed away of cancer. She was 40 and I was 41. I re-married at 48, now I am 58. Am I eligible for any benefits from my first wife?
Thank you.

Hi,

You can't qualify for benefits on your first wife's record as long as your remarriage continues (https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/handbook/handbook.04/handbook-0401.html).

Best, Jerry

My wife just passed away. She was receiving permanent disability for near 17yrs at the time of her death. She was 59 and I am 55 working full time. I gross near six figures in income per year. Am I or will I be eligible for any of her benefits as long as I am working? Will I be eligible for any of her benefits after I retire, rather it be full age or early?

Hi,

I'm sorry for your loss.