My husband died in 1993. I received survivors benefits for myself and 2 children under age 18. Six years after his death I remarried. The marriage only lasted 4 years. I was told by soc sec that I could no get my benfits back. Question #1 is this true, because have read a few things saying otherwise. Question #2 I am now 61 and want start receiving soc sec benefits, can I collect on my deceased husbands Soc sec? Thank you

Hi,

My wife passed about 7 years ago from Cancer and my daughter and I started getting Social Security Survivors benefits at that time. I am working and make to much to qualify but my daughter is receiving the monthly benefit until she's 18 I believe. I actually switched careers this last summer and while I wasn't working qualified for spousal survivor benefits and was paid for a few months until I found work.

How does a young widow's income(income from employment) impact her and/or her child's benefit from her deceased husband?

Hi,

Benefits for a young widow with a child in care are subject to partial or full withholding under the Social Security earnings test (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/whileworking2.html). However, the young widow's earnings would not affect the benefits payable to her children.

Best, Jerry

How does a young widow's income(income from employment) impact her and/or her child's benefit from her deceased husband?

Hi Larry,
I've read both editions of your book and truly appreciate the knowledge you have shared with your readers. Today I visited my local SSA office and I hope you can confirm the information they provided - specifically as it relates to the ex spouse benefit should the ex - spouse pass. (You mentioned that SSA offices unfortunately have reps who aren't up to speed on all the provisions of the SS law and don't provide correct information at the expense of the retiree.)

IS THERE A NUMBER OF YEARS THAT YOU HAVE TO HAVE BEEN MARRIED IN ORDER TO COLLECT ON A DECEASED SPOUSE'S SOCIAL SECURITY? I WAS TOLD YOU HAD TO BE MARRIED 10 YEARS. I HAVE NEVER REMARRIED AND I AM NOW 60 YRS OLD. I WANT TO STILL WORK, BUT COLLECT ON MY DECEASED HUSBAND'S SOCIAL SECURITY. (SURVIVING WIDOW'S BENEFITS)

Hi,

Question: Switching between Survivor's Benefits and Retirement Benefits (And exclusion from earnings test)

My spouse (51 y.o.) passed away in October.
My child (10 y.o) collects Child's Benefits.
My earnings prevent me (58 y.o.) from collecting Mother/Father Benefits (M/FB).

• If I file and suspend now, at age 62, would my wife (age 49) collect spousal child-in-care for my disabled adult son (disabled before age 22) at a rate equal to half of my early (age 62) retirement benefits?
• Would my disabled adult son also collect benefits at that rate?
• If my wife took spousal child-in-care now at that reduced rate, would she still be able to take her full spousal benefit at age 67 (i.e., at 50% of my full age-70 benefit, when I plan to retire)? Or would she be forever stuck at 50% of the age 62 benefit?

I'm really baffled by something.

I reached my full retirement age of 66 yesterday and am planning to retire sometime in 2017.

My SS statement on the SS website notes that I've reached FRA and can receive $2,615 per month at this time. It also says that if something happens to me, my survivor is entitled to receive $2,634 per month at full retirement age.

Will my daughter receive a benefit from my late wife?
My wife passed away 6 weeks ago at the age of 45. She was a stay at home mom to our 8 year old daughter since her birth. She worked full time from the age of 18 through 37. Will my daughter be eligible for a benefit?

Hi,

I'm sorry for your loss.