Larry,

I am 38 years old with 2 children (14 & 11). My husband passed away in 2012 at the age of 39. I am collecting social security benefits on behalf of my children. I am not currently collecting any benefits on behalf of myself. I have multiple questions. Do their benefits expire when they are 18 or out of school? In addition, when can I start collecting widow benefits? Does remarriage effect this?

Thank you

Hi,

If you aren't working, or if you're earning less than around $15720/yr., you may be eligible to receive mother's benefits now. Social Security has a family maximum benefit, however, so it's possible that your entitlement would reduce your children's benefits by an amount equal to yours. So, if the family maximum is already being paid to your children, or if you are earning too much, it may be of no advantage for you to apply now. Potential entitlement to mother's benefits end when the youngest child in care turns 16, unless the mother has a disabled child older than age 16 in care. You may want to check with Social Security to see if, and when, it would be advantageous for you to apply for mother's benefits.

Child's benefits end at age 18, or age 19 if the child is still in high school. Child's benefits can continue indefinitely, however, if the child is disabled by Social Security standards.

Reduced widow's benefits can start as early as age 60, or even at age 50 if the widow is disabled. If the widow remarries prior to age 60, or prior to becoming eligible for earlier disabled widow's benefits, they cannot subsequently become entitled to widow's benefits for as long as the remarriage continues.

For more info, you may wish to review this Social Security pamphlet: https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10084.pdf.

Best, Jerry