My husband died 5 years ago and was on Disability for about 3 years prior to his death. He worked from age 16 - 58 (when he died), I worked for 27 years of our married life. Neither of us made a lot of money, just a normal middle class family.

Hey Larry, I just found out that I could apply for widow's benefits at the age of 60. I turned 60 in September, but I did not apply until February. Am I supposed to be paid from the date that I became eligible or the date that I applied?

Hi,

If you file for widow's benefits prior to full retirement age, you can't be paid for any month(s) prior to the month in which you apply for benefits.

Best, Jerry

Hi Larry ,

I have looked over the internet for this answer but to no avail. Say, I take social security at age 66 and my wife files for social security at age 62 on my benefit (I believe she will receive 37.5% of my benefit, 1/2 - a percent deduction for early filing). My question is; If I die will she receive my FRA, i.e. the amount I was receiving or a reduced amount of my FRA due to the fact she started taking hers on my benefit at age 62? Example: My FRA at 66 is $2000, at 62 she will receive $750. If I die before her will she receive a reduced amount of the $2000 or the $2000?

my husband passed away while still working at age 62 i am age 60 and also still working when is it best to start receiving benefits i plan on working till age 62

Hi,

I'm sorry for your loss.

My Father in law recently passed away at age 86. He had Social Security Benefits beginning at his FRA. My mother in law is 60. Does she qualify for Survivors Benefits?

Hi,

I need some help to figure out if I am eligible for Widow's Benefits. We were married Aug.5, 1989 and divorced May 14, 1998 but got back together almost immediately. When he became ill, we remarried on June 19, 1999 believing he was getting better but then he passed away Jan 5, 2000. I am now 64 and have never remarried but Social Security has refused benefits based on the rule that we were not married for 9 months before his death.

I am 68 now and have suspended my benefit until age 70. My wife is 59 1/2. If I die after turning 70 (my wife will be 61 1/2), at what age can my wife start to collect my full SS Benefit (assuming I live until at least 70). She was a very low income earner. At her full retirement age, her SS benefit would be only about $ 213.00, that is the main reason I am waiting until age 70 to start collection my benefit (so she can get a larger check each month after I die). Secondly, how does her Widow Benefit enter into all of this?

Hi,

Hi, I was married 25 years when my husband unexpectedly passed. I was a stay at home momma raising 3 children. My SS will be very little at the time I'm able to collect it. My question am I entiteled to my late husbands SS? What about if I were to marry again one day, then would I be entitled ?
Thank you for your help
Missy

Hi Missy,

I'm sorry for your loss.

I was widowed at 32 I'm now 50 my husband would be 62. I work and earn 36K a year, and manage I was encouraged to ask if I would qualify for any of my husbands benefits to help me along. Or must I wait until I'm of retirement age myself

Thank you,

Hi,

The earliest that you could qualify for widow's benefits is at age 60, although benefits can be paid as early as age 50 in some cases if the widow is disabled.