Ask Larry

Am I Entitled To My Husband's Social Security Benefit?

I am a widow and my husband was receiving Social Security.
Am I entitled to his pension

Hi. I'm sorry for your loss. A widow can get up to the full amount of their husband's Social Security benefit if they meet the requirements, but if they start drawing prior to full retirement age (FRA) their benefit rate is normally reduced for age. Furthermore, if you're drawing your own Social Security benefits you could only be paid essentially the higher of your own amount or your husband's amount.

You must be at least age 60, or at least age 50 and disabled, to qualify for widow's benefits, although survivor benefits can also be paid to a younger spouse who has a child in care who is eligible for benefits on the deceased worker's record and is either under age 16 or is disabled. And, you must be unmarried, or if you've remarried your current marriage must have occurred at age 60 or older.

Also, your marriage to the deceased must normally have lasted at least 9 months, although there are exceptions to that rule (https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/handbook/handbook.04/handbook-0401.html).

Best, Jerry

Category: 
Posted: 
Nov 11 2021 - 4:27pm
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