I worked for NYC civil service for 12 years and receive a small pension from them. My husband died in 2014. Can I collect any part of his social security. I am crippled and have a bad case of diverticulitis and I could use anything that I can get from my husband's social security. He worked for 30 years prior to getting injured and disabled, so hE SHOULD HAVE A BIG ACCOUNT.

Hi,

I'm sorry for your loss.

i feel it is terribly unfair - That when my husband died of a sudden massive MI at age 64 - I was 62. He did not smoke or drink - He was such a good man - Lots of stress- however.
We both have worked all these years and had such plans - I am still getting calls from places where he wanted us to retire at and travel.

I still have the same bills and all I got from his social security is 250.00???

Hello Larry,
My husband passed away at age 40. I will be 62 in a few days and I am still working. Can I collect his social security? If so, will my paycheck be affected?
Thank you for all you do!

Hi,

When should I apply for SS survivor benefits after my husband passes? Immediately or wait til the whole estate is settled? He passed at age 66. Before he started receiving his SS benefits he was on disability. When he turned 65 SS changed his status from disabled to straight SS. He continued to receive the same amount. I too am receiving SS. I will be 65 in May. I started receiving my benefits at age 62.

Hi,

I'm sorry for your loss.

I currently receive Social Security Disability, since 2012. I was married to a disabled VET who passed away in 1986 I have never remarried. Would I be entitled to any of his vet benefits or Social Security benefits? I had never included his information when I applied for SSDI, it never occurred to me that I could or should.

Hi,

My only area of expertise is Social Security, so I can't tell you whether or not you would qualify for veteran's benefits. You'll probably need to check with the Veteran's Administration.

I was born in Nov 1952. My wife was born in May 1960.
I plan to claim social sec benefits at the age of 70 based on my earnings and expect to collect about $40,000 per year. If I die at the age of 71, my wife will be 63 years old at the time of my death. My wife income is much less. In this scenario, what will be my wife's survival benefits if she claims at her age of 63?

Hi,

I am a widow, age almost 62. My retirement benefits will be smaller than my late husband’s. I thought that if I take my retirement benefits before my full retirement age (a reduced amount), and then apply for survivors benefits when I reach 66, that I would then receive my late husband’s full retirement amount.
But an SS representative told me that there is a new rule. Now, if I start taking my retirement benefits early and then apply for survivors benefits when I turn 66, I will NOT receive my late husband’s full amount. Instead, it will be calculated like this:

Greetings! Thank you for this type of venue. I have helped many people in my life and glad to see you are there for some of us. I will be 62 on Apr 11, 2018. I am a widow for 17 years. I recently was laid off and am on severance for 5 months. I believe I am eligible for SS widow's benefits (even with severance) and unemployment. The question is: Will this affect my own ss when I reach 68? Can I enroll for it now to help me? and, what is the min salary I can make without interrupting my late husbands SS benefits? Thanks and God Bless. I really need some good advice. Deb

My wife started drawing Soc Sec benefits on my credit at age of 63. Birthday is Sept ,1942.
I started drawing at 64. Birthday is Dec , 1936.
If I die before her, what will she draw?

Hi,

If your wife currently receives spousal benefits on your record, she would receive the higher monthly rate that you were receiving in the event of your death.

Best, Jerry

I have been hearing a lot about Widow Benefits. My Husband passed away in Dec 2011. I am now receiving his SS being that his was higher than mine. Could I be receiving Widows Benefits as well? I have heard that some are receiving both SS and Widows Benefits. Very curious, please help me here...Thank you in advanced, Judy

Hi Judy,

I'm sorry for your loss.