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Benefits for Widows and Widowers: Spouse’s Social Security

Russo Law Group, P.C. - Social SecurityWidows and widowers are entitled to Social Security benefits from their deceased spouse equal to the collection amount at the time of death, or the potential entitlement amount if the spouse had not yet applied for the benefit. In order to best advise their clients, accountants and attorneys should understand the laws that govern this benefit.

Widows and widowers are not confined by a time frame during which they need to apply for the benefit; however, there are some eligibility restrictions and considerations to be aware of regarding the state of the marriage at the time of death:

Married at Time of Death

  • Marriage must have lasted for at least 9 months prior to death; and
  • Widow/widower cannot have remarried before turning age 60 (or age 50 if disabled).

Divorced at Time of Death

  • Marriage with deceased must have lasted for more than 10 years;
  • Widow/widower has not remarried;
  • The widow/widower cannot apply until he/she turns age 62 (or age 50 if disabled); and
  • Even if the deceased spouse remarried, the divorced widow/widower can still collect.

Extent of Benefit

Depending on the circumstance, a widow or widower may be entitled to an amount between 71.5% and 100% of the benefit.

  • Full retirement age* or beyond: 100%
  • Between 60 and full retirement age: 71.5% to 99%
  • Any age, so long as they are caring for a child under the age of 16: 75%
  • Disabled, then between age 50 through 59: 71.5%

*Full retirement age is a fixed number determined by the IRS. Currently, the retirement ages are as follows:

  • Born 1937 or earlier: Age 65
  • Born between 1938 and 1942: 65 plus 2 months, and an additional 2 months for every year after 1938
  • Born between 1943 and 1954: Age 66
  • Born between 1955 and 1960: Age 66 plus 2 months, and an additional 2 months for every year after 1955
  • Born 1960 or later: Age 67

People are living longer and, as a result, it is important to be financially protected and prepared. Please contact us if you have any questions about receiving a deceased spouse’s Social Security benefits.

Joshua R. BerzakJoshua Berzak, Esq.
Russo Law Group, P.C.
100 Quentin Roosevelt Blvd., Suite 102
Garden City, NY 11530
800-680-1717

This Post Has 6 Comments

    1. Thank you for your email. If you are in need of assistance regarding benefits, please contact me at (516) 683-1717 or via email at [email protected]. I will be happy to assist you.
      Please Note: This reply is informational only and not legal advice. You should seek the services of an attorney for legal advice.

      Sincerely yours,
      Janet Corsetti, Client Service Coordinator

  1. I am currently looking to file widows benefits for my husband who passed away and work at the Capital District Psychiatric Center in Albany NY. It was a Governor appointed position. I find the website a bit confusing r/t the many forms, and when I have tried to call the wait is impossibly long. I would like someone to assist me with the correct paperwork.

    Thanks
    Mrs. S. Clay-Nixon

    1. Thank you for your email. You might want to contact an licensed attorney in the Albany area to help you with your situation and assist you in obtaining the correct paperwork.

      Please Note: This reply is informational only and not legal advice. You should seek the services of an attorney for legal advice.

      Sincerely yours,
      Janet Corsetti, Client Service Coordinator

  2. I reallly need help, I just cannot understand why my late husbands employer is witholding his benefit information from me, I am getting his SSR but not all the defined Benefit Package like 403b, Pension, Investment accounts , the PBGC gave me his case number, EIN, and plan number but PBGC says his Pension is going to the Company he worked for but, they are acting as if he did not even work for them. Why are they saying this? Is this because he was married to a Black woman 15 yrs and he work for them 14 yrs, was vested and Fully Insured. He was lead Inventor with 52 Patents, he had a masters Degree in ELECTRICAL EINGINEERING, he was Sr Software Eingineer for the Company.

    1. Thank you for your email. Your matter should be addressed by legal counsel and we are available to assist you. Please contact me at (516) 683-1717 or via email at [email protected] and I will arrange for a meeting with one of our experienced attorneys. I will also address any questions that you may have regarding our legal services. I look forward to hearing from you.
      Please Note: This reply is informational only and not legal advice. You should seek the services of an attorney for legal advice.

      Sincerely yours,
      Janet Corsetti, Client Service Coordinator

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