Hi,
My husband died in 2007, our daughter was only 10 months old; I was 33 years old. Since then my daughter and I have been receiving Social Security Benefits. From what I understand, she will stop receiving benefits when she turns 18. I have a few questions:
1. Will I continue to receive my portion of SS benefits after she turns 18?
2. Will her benefits get redistributed to me or do they simply stop?
Many Thanks for having this forum!

Hi,

I'm sorry for your loss.

Your Social Security mother's benefits will stop when your child turns age 16 unless she's disabled and you're caring for her (https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/handbook/handbook.04/handbook-0415.html). You won't be eligible for Social Security widow's benefits until you are at least age 60, although you could potentially qualify for disabled widow's benefits as early as age 50 (https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/handbook/handbook.04/handbook-0401.html).

Your daughter's benefits will end when she turns 18 unless she's disabled or she's still in high school. Her benefits would end at age 19 even if she's still in high school at that time unless she's disabled. When your daughter's benefits end they won't be redistributed to you. After your mother's benefits end, you would have to qualify for widow's benefits in order to be paid benefits on your husband's Social Security record.

You may want to consider using our software to do your long-term Social Security planning.

Best, Jerry