My friend's husband is drawing Social Security and VA Benefits and he has a few weeks left to live. She is a US Citizen and wants to move back to India to live with her daughter. Can she draw her husband's Social Security and his VA Check together. She will turn 60 Nov. 11th. Thank you for your time and your help.
Paula

Hi Paula,

I have no expertise in the VA benefit program, so I can't answer that part of your question. If your friend's husband dies, she could be eligible for Social Security widow's benefits as early as age 60 or even sooner if she's disabled, provided that she meets the eligibility requirements (https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/handbook/handbook.04/handbook-0401.html). And, since your friend is a U.S. citizen, moving to India wouldn't affect her ability to receive Social Security benefits. However, her benefit rate will be reduced by up to 28.5% if she starts drawing her widow's benefits at age 60.

Before your friend applies for benefits, she may want to consider using the maximization software available on this website to explore her filing options and determine her best strategy.

Best, Jerry