I have been received social security disability for about a year. I have also received widows benefits from my deceased wife. In August I applied for retirement benefits. It was approved in November. For some reason my survivor's benefits cut off and I did not receive a check in December 2021 nor January 2022. Why was the suvivor's benefits cut off?

Hi. I'm confused by what you've described in your question. If you've been receiving Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits, then you shouldn't need to apply for Social Security retirement benefits. In fact, in most cases it's disadvantageous to voluntarily switch from SSDI benefits to retirement benefits prior to full retirement age (FRA). SSDI benefits aren't reduced for age, and they automatically convert to unreduced Social Security retirement benefits when a person reaches FRA. But, if a person opts to switch from SSDI to retirement benefits prior to FRA their monthly benefit rate is reduced for age. ​

In any case, though, filing for Social Security retirement benefits shouldn't cause your widow's benefits to stop unless your retirement benefit rate is higher than the widow's rate. When a person is eligible for both SSDI or retirement benefits and widow's benefits at the same time, they can only be paid essentially the higher of the two benefit rates. It they apply for both benefits then Social Security pays the person's own benefit rate first, and if they widow's rate is higher they also pay a partial widow's benefit to bring their combined rate up to the higher widow's benefit amount.

I obviously don't have enough information about your case to answer your question or to give you any advice regarding possible filing strategies. You'll need to contact Social Security to find out why your widow's benefits stopped, and I would strongly suggest asking to speak with a Social Security claims representative to determine if it was unwise for you to have applied for Social Security retirement benefits.

Best, Jerry