I am 59 years old and just lost my husband in March of this year. He was 55. He was also the major breadwinner. I worked throughout our marriage but mostly part-time. As I understand it. I am not able to receive widow's benefits until I turn 60. Is there a way to receive benefits while letting his social security grow. I plan on continuing work also. Thank you.

Hi,

I'm sorry for your loss.

Hello Larry,
I am 61 years old and still working and earning less than 24K annually. My husband of 20+ years passed away 10 years ago at the age of 55, and I have not remarried. He was not drawing any benefits at the time as he was still working. Am I entitled to any widows benefits? Have I missed out on any benefits due me by waiting so long?

Hi,

I'm sorry for your loss.

I recieve ss disability. My spouse passed away & I started receiving ss for widows at age 60. I did not know that I would recieve a reduced amount. Can this ever be changed to full amount ?

Hi,

I'm sorry for your loss.

My husband was born in 1952, he became disabled and began collecting SSDI in 2011 in the amount of $2000.00 a month. He turned 65 in April of 2017 and also began collecting his pension. I turned 60 this year (born in November of 1956) and have been working since I was 16. I do not reach full retirement age until I turn 66 and 4 mths. and my full benefits would be comparable to his. However, I would like to retire at 62 but I will need the full amount of one of our retirements if he passes away before me. Is that possible in any scenario?

My husband recently died at age 84, he was receiving benefits. I am 64 and currently working full time. Can I receive survivors benefits based on his work record and continue to work? thank you

Hi,

I am a 62 year old widow. I have been receiving a death benefit from the State of Florida Retirement System since my husbands death in February of 2000. I was 45 years old when I began receiving this benefit and he was 46 when he passed. I am now having difficulty finding adequate work and have been looking at Social Security benefits. I basically have two questions - (1) Will I be able to collect Social Security benefits now also through my husbands business? He would have been 63 years old. (2) Will yes, will it reduce my current death benefit that I am now receiving?

A little over a yr ago i started my ss benefit at age 70. My wife will not have any ss benefit based on her work record. We were planning on her taking a reduced spousal benefit at 62; with the understanding that she could still receive 100 % of my 70 yr old benefit , if i was still alive when she reached her full retirement age.

I will be 60 next month. My husband past away last July 2016. I make approx. $25,000 a year. Can I still file for widows benefits or should I wait.

Hi,

I'm sorry for your loss.

You could file for widow's benefits at age 60, but at least some of your benefits would be withheld due to your earnings (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/whileworking2.html).

When my husband died I was told that I could draw off him when I turn 60. Question is can I do that and still work without penalties?

Hi,

Not necessarily. The Social Security earnings test applies to widow's benefits payable prior to full retirement age (FRA). Basically, you would lose $1 of benefits for each $2 that you earn in excess of $16,920 this year (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/whileworking2.html).

I was married to my husband for 3 months before he died. I was 59 and he was 73. He was a retired railroad worker and because we were married 9 months I am not eligible for any of his pension nor am I eligible for social security. what can I do?

Hi,

I'm sorry for your loss.