Hi Larry,
How do they calculate widows benefits if the widow is age 61 and on SS Disability since age 53 and spouse that she was married to for 38 years passed at age 68 and was collecting FRA SS Benefits. I can find all the information if disabled widow is 50 to 60 but what about after age 60?

Hi,

The widow in the scenario you present could only be paid widow's benefits if the deceased spouse's full benefit rate was higher than the widow's SSDI rate. Assuming it is and that the deceased spouse did not draw reduced retirement benefits prior to his death, the surviving spouse who's receiving disability benefits (SSDI) could be eligible for an unreduced widow's rate equal to the difference between the deceased spouse's full rate and the widow's SSDI rate. However, the widow's rate would be reduced for age (at least temporarily) if the surviving spouse starts drawing the widow's benefits prior to full retirement age (FRA). For example:

Say Jane is getting SSDI of $1000 and her husband dies when Jane is age 61. Her husband's full benefit rate was $2000, so Jane's unreduced widow's rate would be $1000 (i.e. $2000 - $1000). However, since Jane is age 61 her widow's rate would be reduced for age by roughly 23.75% to $762. Jane would then be paid the reduced widow's rate plus her SSDI for a total monthly rate of $1762.

The good news for Jane is that since she was already entitled to SSDI when she became entitled to widow's benefits, the 23.75% reduction in her widow's rate would be removed after she reaches FRA. From then on, she would receive the unreduced widow's rate of $1000 in addition to her own full rate of $1000 (i.e. $2000 total).

Best, Jerry