I am 61. My wife is 69
If I die before full retirement age can she get my benefit immediately or have to wait until I would have been 66.5?

Hi,

Your wife could potentially qualify for widow's benefits effective with the month of your death. When and if you file for your benefits can have an effect on her widow's rate, however, so you may want to use the maximization software available on this website to determine your best overall filing strategy.

Best, Jerry

I was a young widow (44) with young children (10 and 7) whose father died at a young age (46). In your book and articles you've described claiming widow's benefits first and waiting to take your retirement benefits allowing them to grow until they maximize at age 70. It can also be done the other way around. The widow can take her own retirement Insurance benefits (RIB) first and then at Full Retirement Age (FRA is 66 for me) switch to her widow's benefits.

My husband passed away in 2010 we were married for 8 years, we both worked, I intend to work until age 62, I am 60 now. His social security monthly amount is higher than mine will be. Can I collect 100% of his social security payment at age 62 as a widow and forego my social security. Will I receive a reduced amount at 62 less than 100% of his retirement amount. Will I be penalized for working and making 70k a year if I completely stop at age 62, or does the penalty start at age 60. Financially I believe I need to work another two years but not beyond that. What do you suggest?

Hello,

My husband is a Federal Firefighter and qualifies for special category retirement. We are currently preparing for him to retire in the next 18 months. We have some concerns because he will be retiring early and need to make sure in the event he does pass away I would qualify for widow benefits at 60 even though I would be getting a 25% benefit from his FERS annuity. Will the annuity or the fact he retires special category have any effect on me receiving widow benefits at age 60 if they are needed.

Thank you!
Melissa

I'm 58 my husband pass in nov 2 2013 a lot pleo said I can't draw off my husband untill I'm 60. Is this true.

Hi,

Yes, unless you are disabled or have an eligible child in your care, the earliest that you could qualify for Social Security widow's benefits is age 60 (https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10084.pdf).

Best, Jerry

Larry,
My husband passed away in February 2017. He was 65 and had collected one SS payment. I just turned 62 in August. I was recently told that as a widow, I could move to a different "level" than what I would normally get if I retired at 62 being married. Is that true? My retirement SS is higher than what my husband's.

Hi,

I'm sorry for your loss.

my first husband died in 1998 I got his social security because I were on s s disability I remarried at 61 I still got my first husband widower benefit, My second husband had a hearth attack he pass in 2011 I was told I could not continue to receive my first husband benefit is that correct?

Hi,

I'm sorry for your loss.

Hi Larry I have a question I. 61 and i work part time I was planning to take my widows benifits next June when I'm 62 it'll be 1700 a month I also am dating someone who put me on his medical threw his work . But we had to fill out demestic partner ship papers will this affect my widows benifits thank you cindee

Hi Cindee,

My husband was on Social Security Disability from 2002 until he died in December 2016, just shy of his 62nd birthday. I was 53 at the time of his death and I am now 54 years old. I have no dependent children under the age of 18. Will I be eligible to collect Widow/Survivors Benefits when I turn 60? I have always worked and I believe that my earnings will be higher than his when I reach retirement age.

Hi Larry,

My father (58) passed recently and I am looking to maximize social security for my mother (65). She is currently collecting Social Security disability which is roughly 40% the amount my father's FRA amount would be. My plan was to wait until her listed FRA (66) to collect my father's FRA amount. However, I recently came across a couple websites saying that the Widow FRA is not the same as their regular FRA and that it is two years earlier. Can you confirm or deny this is true?