My mom recently passed away (age 80) and I am helping my dad with their financial affairs, including her social security and state retirement. We are a bit sketchy on understanding what will happen with dad’s social security and widower benefits. Mom took SS at her full retirement age and dad took his at 62. Mom’s benefit after Medicare insurance was paid was $1707 and dad’s is $746 after Medicare insurance is paid. How much money will dad receive now? Does he need to contact Social Security about his updated benefit or will that be done automatically since the funeral home director already contacted Social Security?

Hi. I'm sorry for your loss. Assuming that your father is now at least full retirement age (FRA), he'd be eligible for the higher of a) his own benefit amount, or b) his deceased wife's benefit amount. There is also a one-time death benefit of $255 for which your father would likely be eligible.

However, if your father is receiving a governmental pension based on his earnings that were exempt from Social Security taxes, then his widower benefits would be subject to full or partial withholding due to the Government Pension Offset (GPO) provision (https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10007.pdf). In any event, if your father is at least FRA or older and assuming that he isn't already receiving spousal benefits, then it sounds like he should contact Social Security to apply for survivor benefits.

Best, Jerry