This podcast is a discussion of Social Security Survivor Benefits including spouse, ex-spouse, other dependents, and the Family Maximum. The conversation concludes with an explanation of the “Claw Back” Rule regarding the last payment received by a beneficiary.
This recording presents the viewpoints of the AMAC Foundation’s Social Security Advisory Staff, trained and accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). NSSA and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government. To request additional information, contact our Advisory Staff at 888-750-2622, or email us at SSAdvisor@AmacFoundation.org.
Will I be eligible for any widow benefits at the age of 60 from my deceased husband?
Hi Patricia,
If you are single when you reach 60 years old, and you were married to your deceased husband at least 9 months (unless you meet an exception) before he died, you become eligible for a widow benefit at age 60. However, if you take your survivor benefit at this time it will only be 71.5% of your husband’s Social Security benefit at his time of death, and this is a permanent reduction.
There are other factors you need to take into consideration before you apply for his benefits.
1) Will his benefit always be the highest benefit available to you?
a) If it will be you might want to consider waiting until 62 and taking your own benefit early at a reduced rate and waiting to take your survivor benefit at your full retirement age (FRA) when you receive 100% of his benefit.
b) If your own retirement benefit will be higher than his, than taking his benefit early and allowing your own to continue growing could be the best option.
2)You will also be subject to an earnings limit.
a) Until you reach your FRA you will be subject to an earnings limit if you are still working or plan on continuing working. The earnings limit for 2021 is $18.960 annually
( or $1,580 per month.) If you go over the earnings limit Social Security will withhold $1 for every $2 you go over.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
My ex passed away at age 56, guessing his family max is about 4000, his current wife is 57. ( they have no children together ) We have a 16 year old and there is another adult handicapped child who lives in a group home. my son will be 18 before the current wife turns 60. Do each child get 75 % of his benefits which would be about 2000 each, or does the wife come into play. do the two children have to split the 2000 since familt max is about 4000 ?
barbara j
Hi Barbara,
His current wife at his time of death will not affect the family maximum whatsoever, nor will it affect any benefits you will be eligible for on his record if you were married at least 10 years. If your adult handicapped child became disabled before his 22nd birthday he is also eligible on your ex-husbands’ Social Security record. If he is currently on SSI, his representative payee is now required to sign him up for benefits on your ex-husband’s record. Your 16 year old child is also eligible for benefits until he turns 18, or up to age 19 if still in high school. Your disabled adult son will receive benefits for the rest of his life. Your children will each receive a benefit equal to 75% of your husband’s benefit at the time of his death. Social Security determines what someone’s full retirement age (FRA) would be at time of death when they pass away before starting to collect their benefits. You should contact your local Social Security office to get the application process started. Use the following link to obtain the phone number: https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp Normally you would make an appointment to go into the office to apply for child benefits, unfortunately all the offices are still closed at this time.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
When a spouse(age 74), who is terminally ill, commits suicide, can the surviving spouse still receive his benefits? What steps can the surviving spouse follow to fight for the husband’s social security benefits?
Kerry Huffman
I am researching the information you have requested and I will respond to you as soon as I have confirmed it for you.
Sharon Kleczka
AMAC Foundation, Inc.
888-750-2622
Kerry Huffman,
If you husband’s Social Security benefit was larger than your own at his time of death, you are eligible for a survivor benefit on his record. You will receive 100% of his benefit at his time of death and your own smaller benefit will stop, you will not receive both benefits. If you were married more than nine months, his cause of death does not affect your eligibility for survivor benefits on his Social Security record. If you were not receiving a spousal benefit on your husband’s record and or are not yet your full retirement age (FRA) at his time of death, you will need to contact Social Security to apply for your survivor benefit. Use the following link to obtain your local Social Security office phone number: https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp
Social Security Office Locator, SSA Office Locator Social Security Office Locator, Social Security
Office-Search-and-Results. On Tuesday, March 17, 2020, we suspended face-to-face service to the public in our field offices and hearings offices nationwide until further notice.
secure.ssa.gov
As all the Social Security offices are currently closed, you will have to apply over the phone as you can’t apply online for a survivor benefit. If you are not receiving a spousal benefit you will have to mail Social Security a certified copy of your marriage license. Please send it certified signed receipt so you know when they received it.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
Do u have to be a certain age to draw benefits from a deceased spoise
Earnest,
Yes, you have to be at least 60 years old to collect a survivor benefit on a deceased spouse, only 50 years old if you are disabled. If you are younger and have children under 18, or 19 if still in high school, or adult disabled children before the age of 22, you can file for the child-in-care credit. The child-in-care credit does effect the family maximum and ends when the youngest child turns 16, unless he/she is an adult disabled child then you can remain on it to your full-retirement-age (FRA).
As with any benefit, if you take them before your FRA, you will be subject to an earnings limit which is currently $18.960 or $50,520 if you reach your FRA this year. These limits tend to increase each year.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
My personal email address: Stephaniedevlin459@yahoo.com
My Aunt has recently passed, my uncle is blind and I am assisting him with obtaining survival benefits and death benefit. Can you tell me where I need to go to complete the appropriate documents. I have a copy of my Aunt’s death certificate, will the Social Security Office need an original?
Thank You
Stephanie,
First let me offer you my condolences on the loss of your Aunt. The funeral home should have provided Social Security with a copy of her death certificate. Whether or not your Uncle is eligible for a survivor benefit on your Aunt’s Social Security record will depend on whose benefit was higher. If her benefit was higher than his, he should contact his local Social Security office to apply for his survivor benefit. Use the following office locator link to obtain that phone number: https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp
Social Security Office Locator, SSA Office Locator Social Security Office Locator, Social Security
Office-Search-and-Results. On Tuesday, March 17, 2020, we suspended face-to-face service to the public in our field offices and hearings offices nationwide until further notice.
secure.ssa.gov
If his benefit is higher than hers was, her benefit will end, and he will only receive his own benefit. He still needs to claim the $255 lump sum death benefit available to him . As all the Social Security offices are still currently closed, the only way to apply for a survivor benefit is over the phone.
Please contact me if you have further questions.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
update on current claim
Ann,
We are Social Security Advisors but we are not affiliated with Social Security. You need to contact your local Social Security to find out the amount of your new claim. You may locate that number using the Social Security Office locator: https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp If you have a My Social Security Account online you can also view the status of your claim online, unless it is a claim for Survivor benefits.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
My children’s father recently died and I put in a claim with SSA and my children started receiving monthly benefits. Last month I found out he has a wife that he did not live with for at least 15 yrs. that put in a claim also. Is she eligible to receive benefits also?
kourtnee1974@yahoo.com
Yes, his wife, even though they did not live together for 15 years, is eligible for a survivor benefit on his record as they were apparently still married and not divorced. If she was still legally married to him at his time of death, her benefits will affect the amount of benefits your children are receiving due to the family maximum and your children will also affect hers. The family maximum is up to 188% of the deceased primary insurance amount (PIA). If there are any children under 18 (19 if still in high school or disabled before the age of 22) they will also be eligible for benefits and will also affect the family maximum. Social Security will send you a notice for each child informing you of any reduction to the amount of their benefits.
I’m sure you are looking for a way to stop this from happening, but unfortunately if your children’s father never divorced her, her survivor benefit will affect your children’s benefits. If they were by any chance divorced, then her benefits will not affect your children’s benefits, unless she also has eligible children.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
If my wife and I pass, will there be any benefits available to my daughter, our executor – Burial, etc.?
James,
Social Security does not provide burial benefits or any other types of benefits to surviving adult children unless they were disabled before the age of 22. The only benefit she would be eligible for is if the payment received in your month of death is returned to Social Security, as it is for the month before your death. She would have to file SSA-1724 https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ssa-1724.pdf to claim it. The surviving spouse will have to file the same form if this happens to them also.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
I was wondering if i can get spouse benafit do to my husband passed away
Jenika
As your husband passed away you may be eligible for a survivor benefit. A surviving spouse becomes eligible for a survivor benefit at age 60 (50 if disabled), but your benefits will be reduced permanently if you take them before your FRA. You are eligible at any age if you have children under age 16 for what is known as a “child-in-care” benefit. This also includes adult disabled children, that were disabled before the age of 22. Depending on your age and your own benefit amount, if you are still not collecting any benefits, and you are 62 or older, you will have the option of choosing which benefit you want to take at a reduced rate, your own or your survivor benefit. Find out the amount of both benefits before making your final decision. Regardless of your age, call your local office and claim the $255 lump sum payment. You only have one option at this time to apply for your survivor benefit as all the offices are closed and that is to contact your local Social Security Office to apply. You may locate their number using the attached link: https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
My husband died February 6th, 2021. I need our Social Security checks switched. His check is more than mine and I need that extra to survived. I also need that one time $255. death benefit. I have been working on this via, going directly to the Social Security office. Due to COVID, all employees are working from home, and I have been calling for almost two months without success. Please help me in getting this taken care of.
Carol
I’m sorry to hear you having trouble getting through to Social Security at a time like this. Please accept my condolences. Unfortunately, the only way to apply for your higher survivor benefit is an over-the-phone appointment with Social Security due to all the offices being closed. Are you trying to call your local office? All the offices are closed but they are taking phone calls. Use the following link to locate their phone number: https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp
Social Security Office Locator, SSA Office Locator Social Security Office Locator, Social Security
Office-Search-and-Results. On Tuesday, March 17, 2020, we suspended face-to-face service to the public in our field offices and hearings offices nationwide until further notice.
secure.ssa.gov
If you cannot get an answer from your local office, try contacting another Social Security office in your area. Social Security will pay up to six months of back pay on Survivor benefits, so when you finally get your application processed you will receive the difference between your amount and your husband’s higher amount in a retroactive payment, along with the $255 lump sum payment. If you have reached your full retirement age (FRA) and are currently receiving a spousal benefit on your deceased husband’s record, you should receive your survivor benefit automatically. However, I recommend you continue to try to contact Social Security even if this is the case.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
I need to get widow pension. Lost my husband in July
Grace
Please accept my condolences on the loss of your husband. You do not mention your age, so I am giving you general information about applying for a widow benefit.
A widow first becomes eligible for a survivor benefit at the age of 60 (or 50 if disabled). If you start at this age you will only receive 71.5% of your deceased spouse’s benefit at his time of death, which will be a permanent reduction. If you are currently receiving your own benefits and they are higher than what your deceased spouse was receiving, you will only receive the $255 one-time lump sum payment.
If you are under 60 with a dependent child (ren) you can apply for what is known as a “child-in-care benefit” at any age.
The only way to apply for a survivor benefit due to all the Social Security offices currently being closed is to call your local office and request an appointment to apply over the phone. You may locate that phone number by using the following link: https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp
If you are under your full retirement age (FRA) and still working you will be subject to an earnings limit which for 2021 is $18,960. If you go over this limit Social Security will withhold $1 for every $2 you go over. If you are reaching your FRA this year the earnings limit is $50,520 and ends in the month you reach your FRA.
If you are at least 62, you should first find out the amount of your own retirement benefit at your FRA and age 70 and the amount of your survivor benefit at your FRA before you apply. You have the option to restrict your application to applying for the lower benefit first and allowing the higher benefit to reach it’s maximum. The widow benefit maxes out at your FRA.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
My husband just passed away. We were married for 49 years. He was 67 and I am 66. We are both collecting SS. What do I do? I feel totally lost. Please advise. I am in shock.
Sherri,
Our condolences on the passing of you husband. The funeral director who handled your husband’s arrangements should have notified Social Security of his passing, so SS should stop paying his benefits automatically. However, depending upon the exact day of the month he died, you may, or may not be able to keep the most recent SS payment made to your husband. Your husband is only entitled to benefits for the last full month he was alive (because benefits are paid in the month following the month they are earned), so if your husband passed after April 1st, he (you) would be entitled to his March payment only, which is/was received in April. The April date of his March benefit payment depends upon the day of the month he was born, but it might be the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th Wednesday in April. You are entitled to that last (March) payment made to him, but not for any payments received thereafter. After you receive your husband’s March SS benefit payment, you should notify your bank that he has passed, and ask them return to Social Security any future SS benefit payments for him.
Since you have already reached your “widow’s full retirement age” you are entitled to a survivor benefit from your husband equal to the amount your husband was receiving at his death. You get that amount, if it is more than you are already receiving on your own lifetime work record. You will need to contact Social Security directly to claim your survivor benefit, and if you were collecting a spouse benefit from your husband the transition to your survivor benefit will be relatively simple. but they may ask you to provide his death certificate. When you speak with Social Security, don’t forget to request the one-time $255 death benefit you are entitled to as your husband’s surviving spouse.
Please know that you have our sympathy on this loss of your husband of many years. And please also know that we’re here for you to answer any Social Security questions you may have. You may find it more convenient to contact us directly at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org, or call us at 1.800.750.2522.
Russell Gloor
National Social Security Advisor
The AMAC Foundation
I have been receiving disabily since
Oct 2020 will be 55 in Dec. I am a widow since March 26 2021. When do I qualify for Medicare?
Hi Karla, You automatically get Part A and Part B after you have been receiving Disability benefits from Social Security for 24 months.
Eileen Cook
AMAC Foundation
For our personal information and understanding our financial situation in the years ahead, how are CPP survivor benefits calculated.
My annual CPP benefits amount to $8500 and my spouses is about $16,000, What would she get as a survivor and what, as the lower CPP recipient receive in the event of one of our deaths?
Barry,
I’m sorry, but The AMAC Foundation’s Social Security Advisory Service cannot assist you with information regarding survivor benefits from your Canadian Pension Plan. However, you may find the information at this link provides the answers you are seeking: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp/cpp-survivor-pension.html
Please note that if you are eligible for both US Social Security benefits and CPP benefits, your US SS benefit might be affected by your CPP pension. If that is the case, or if you have any questions about US Social Security benefits, please feel free to contact us again at SSAdvisor@amacfoundaton.org.
Russell Gloor
National Social Security Advisor
The AMAC Foundation
My husband passed 10 years ago, he was 51 and I was 47. I am now 58 and would like to find out how much I would receive thru his social security as opposed to mine. When I call the Social Security Administration I am told I can’t have that informaiton unless I apply for his SS and once I apply I can’t change my mind. Am I really not able to see his social security so I can plan my future? If I am able to see his information please tell me how. Thank you!
Cindy,
To most easily find out what your own SS retirement benefit will be, you should create your personal “My Social Security” online account at http://www.ssa.gov/myaccount. But that will not tell you what your benefit options will be as your husband’s survivor. You will become eligible to collect a survivor benefit from your husband at 60 years of age, provided you have not remarried, and Social Security should provide you with the widow’s benefit amount you will be entitled to for financial planning purposes (they won’t give you any of your husband’s personal info, but they should tell you what you are entitled to as a surviving spouse). You should frame your question as “what will my survivor benefit be at age 60 and at my full retirement age.” If the agent you first speak with hesitates to provide that, demand to speak with a supervisor or manager. Explain that you need to know how your survivor benefit compares to your personal SS retirement benefit in order to plan your financial future. Keep in mind that your survivor benefit will reach maximum at your full retirement age (FRA) when it will be 100% of the benefit your husband had earned up to when he died, but if you were to claim the survivor benefit at age 60 it will be 28.5% less.
You should be aware too that if you are working, there will be a limit to how much you can earn before SS takes away some of your survivor benefits. We don’t yet know what the earnings limit will be for the year you turn 60, but for reference the 2021 earnings limit is $18,960. If the annual earnings limit is exceeded, SS will take back benefits equal to $1 for every $2 you are over the limit. One you reach your normal SS eligibility age of 62, you will have the option of switching from your survivor benefit to your personal SS retirement benefit, if that would be financially advantageous. Or you can continue your survivor benefit and allow your own SS retirement benefit to grow, up to age 70 when it would reach maximum. Your goal is to attain the highest monthly benefit for the rest of your life, and that could be either your survivor benefit (at your FRA) or your personal SS retirement benefit (at age 70). I hope this answers your questions, but if you need any further information please contact us at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org, or call us at 1.888.750.2622.
Russell Gloor
National Social Security Advisor
The AMAC Foundation
My wife passed on 1/13/21, I was told I could receive her social security when I reached my 66.5 retirement age, she was 63.5 years at the time, is this true. I also was told the only thing I can receive when I reach 66.5 years, is my social security. Which is true?
Keith,
Please accept my condolences on the loss of your wife. A surviving spouse has the option to receive either their survivor benefit or their own retirement benefit first. If your own retirement benefit will be higher than your deceased wife’s benefit, you have the option to file for her survivor benefit and allow your own retirement benefit to continue to grow up to age 70 if you choose.
You can only apply for your survivor benefit either in person or over the phone. Your option will depend on whether or not the Social Security offices are re-open when you reach your full retirement age (FRA). If your FRA is 66 & 6 months, you actually become eligible for 100% of your survivor benefit at age 66 & 2 months. However, at that time you will still be subject to an earnings limit until you actually reach your FRA. The current limit for someone in the year they reach their FRA is $50,520 or $4,210 per month. This limit changes every year, and it usually goes up. You should apply for it at least 3 months before you want your benefits to start to make sure they start on time.
When you apply you have to inform Social Security that you want to apply for your survivor benefit only and allow your own benefit to continue to grow until the age of 70. If you should decide to take your own benefit before age 70 you can.
Your wife may have passed away at the young age of 63 & 1/2 months, but if she was not yet receiving her Social Security benefits, the amount of her benefit will be calculated as of the date of her death and will equal the amount of her FRA benefit at that time. If she was already receiving her benefits when she passed, you will receive 100% of her benefit at her time of death, including all the cost of living increases since that date.
If you should decide to apply for any benefits before your FRA or widow age, the benefit amount will be permanently reduced. So if you should need to apply for benefits before you reach your FRA, you should consider taking the smaller benefit first at a reduced amount and allowing the higher benefit to continue to grow to at least your FRA. A survivor benefit quits growing when you reach your FRA, so there is no reason to delay taking it beyond that time.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
how do i know if i’m getting survivor benefits with my cpp
Merle,
Here at The AMAC Foundation, we are experts on the U.S. Social Security system, but not on the Canadian Pension Plan (CPP). The US program is exceeding complex, as is the Canadian plan (CPP), and we must limit our advisory service to the American system. We do help many Canadians with their eligibility for US SS benefits, but we cannot assist you with the specific rules of the Canadian Pension Plan. I have, however, found this website link about survivor benefits under CPP, which you may find helpful to answer your question: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp/cpp-survivor-pension.html
Sorry we are unable to answer your specific question about survivor benefits under CPP.
Russell Gloor
National Social Security Advisor
The AMAC Foundation
i applied for survivor’s benefits to be paid to me once i hit 66. i received a letter saying that i was overpaid and won’t receive anything this month. i had been divorced since 1997. any overpayment would be to his account, which has not been closed, according to my son. he had power of attorney until his father died in 2017. i cannot get through to the Binghamton, NY office to get an appointment. i had to quit working as i have trouble with my right arm/shoulder due to work, so i am living on my Social Security. why i am being penalized?
Virginia,
An overpayment to your ex-husband should not affect you. Social Security should have given you an option to appeal an overpayment notice, You should file a “Request for Reconsideration” stating that you don’t agree that you were overpaid. https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ssa-561.html Mail it certified signed receipt to the address you were given on the letter sent to you. This will stop the withholding of any payments until the matter is resolved. Was 66 your full retirement age (FRA)? If you were under your FRA were you still working and went over the earnings limit? There are various reasons Social Security is saying you were overpaid but an overpayment to your ex-husband should not affect you. If you should discover that you owe the overpayment, you have the option to request a repayment plan. If you can afford to repay the overpayment within a 12 month period, Social Security will usually agree to a re-payment plan over the phone and will withhold the agreed-upon amount from your monthly benefit.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
I am a retired US citizen with a Vietnamese citizen wife Will my wife receive my benefits after i die.
Frank,
The answer to your question varies depending upon where your wife lives after you pass. If you and your wife are currently living in the US and if your wife legally remains in the US after you pass, then she will be eligible for a survivor benefit if:
1) She is at least 60 years of age (or 50 if she is disabled)
2) You were married for at least 9 months when you passed
3) Her survivor benefit is more than her personally earned SS benefit (her survivor benefit would replace her own smaller benefit).
If claimed before she has reached her full retirement age (FRA), your wife’s survivor benefit would be reduced (by 28.5% if she claims at age 60). The survivor benefit does not reach maximum until FRA is attained (somewhere between 66 and 67, depending upon your wife’s year of birth). As long as she remains in the US, her survivor benefit will be paid for the remainder of her life.
The survivor benefit rules change if your wife decides to move back to Vietnam after you pass. In that case there are special rules which will apply, including a requirement that you and your wife were in a family relationship in the US for at least 5 years. If she returns to Vietnam, your wife’s SS survivor benefit may be limited to 6 months after she leaves the US. The rules for determining whether a non-citizen surviving spouse is eligible for US SS benefits to be paid in a foreign country are complex, and the easiest way to determine this is by using the SSA’s “Payments Abroad Screening Tool” at this link: https://www.ssa.gov/international/payments_outsideUS.html.
If you have further questions, please email us at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org.
Russell Gloor
National Social Security Advisor
The AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
if I will receive my husbands retirement from OPM do I also receive his social security?
Edith Ching
If you are the surviving spouse, and you receive your husband’s pension from OPM, and his Social Security Benefit is higher than your own, you will receive both, and your own smaller benefit will stop. If your own Social Security benefit is higher than your husband’s benefit, you will only receive your own benefit, and his will stop. You will still need to apply for the one-time $255 lump-sum death benefit.
The fact that you will receive your husband’s pension from OPM does not affect the amount of his Social Security benefit that you would receive whatsoever.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
Long story short-ened; I was married to my husband (YOB: 1942) for almost 12 years (09/1979 – 08/1990) he remarried two more times after, neither lasting more than 2 years. Last wife is “widow” (YOB: 1958) at the time of his passing (10/2003) and is three years older than me (YOB: 1961). Am I still eligible to receive his benefits or is she? And, how do I apply (if eligible) if I don’t remember his SSN?
Claire
As you were married to your ex-husband for more than 10 years you are eligible for benefits on his record. Any benefits his widow will receive on his record do not affect your benefits whatsoever. If you are currently single or didn’t remarry until after your 60th birthday you are eligible to collect a survivor benefit on his record at this time.
You became eligible to take your survivor benefit at age 60, at that time you would have received a benefit equal to 71.5% of the amount of his benefit when he passed away. You will need to supply Social Security with his name, date of birth, name of his parents, and where he was born when you apply. You will also have to submit certified copies of your marriage license and divorce papers. If your divorce papers show your date of marriage you will not need to submit your marriage license.
If you are still working and claim any benefits before your full retirement age (FRA) you will be subject to an earnings limit of $18.960 or $1.580 per month. If you go over this limit Social Security will withhold $1 for every $2 you go over. You should contact your local Social Security office to find out what your survivor benefit would be at your FRA, as this is the amount you will receive if you wait until then to take it. This way you will know if your own retirement benefit will ever be larger than your survivor benefit. This will help you decide which benefit you want to take first, your own or his. If you are 62 or older when you apply for either benefit, you have the option to restrict your application to take the smaller benefit first at a reduced rate, while allowing the higher benefit to continue to grow. If the survivor benefit is the highest benefit you will ever receive, do not delay taking it beyond your FRA as that is when you will receive your maximum survivor benefit as it quits growing at that time.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
Why have I not gotten my wife’s $255.00 death benefit from Social Security? She passed away in January 2021 from Coronavirus Pneumonia.
Larry,
Have you contacted your local Social Security office and requested it? You may obtain the phone number to your local office by using the following link:https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp If you have requested it and still not received it, I recommend you call and ask the status of when you will receive the payment.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
I have currently turned 60 years old. My spouse died last year at age 70 and he was working as well as collecting social security, while still putting into it. I currently work as well and am making about the same salary he was. Does it pay for me to collect Social Security at age 60 or should I wait? I make 50,000.00 a year. He worked many more years than I did and of course put more into Social Security over the years. Thanks for any information you can give me.
Hi Mary,
Until you reach your full retirement age (FRA) you are subject to an earnings limit of $18,960, equivalent to $1,580. Once you go over that limit Social Security will withhold $1 for every $2 you go over. As you are earning $50,000 per year you would be $31,040 over the limit and Social Security would want $15,520 of your benefits back. Also, when you start your survivor benefits at age 60 you only receive 71.5% of the amount your husband was receiving at his time of death.
When you are eligible for your own Social Security benefit and a survivor benefit you have the option to take either one first, while allowing the other benefit to continue to grow. It would benefit you to find out from Social Security which one will be the highest benefit available to you. If your survivor benefit will be the highest benefit you can receive, you should not delay claiming it beyond your FRA when it will no longer grow. If your own benefit will be larger, for example, at age 70, you could then restrict your application to your survivor benefit only, and allow your own benefit to grow until age 70. If your own benefit will always be smaller, you could claim in at a reduced rate any time after you turn 62 (depending on your earnings at the time) and wait until your FRA to claim your higher survivor benefit. The earnings limit ends in the month you reach your FRA.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
I need help how to apply for survival program
Maria,
To apply for survivor benefits you need to contact your local Social Security benefits. As the offices are still closed, your only option to apply for survivor benefits is over the phone. You may locate the number to your local office by using the following link: https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
If my husband waits until he is 70 to draw benefits and he dies, will I receive his benefits based on his amount at 70 years old or at 67?
Lois,
If your husband delays taking his retirement benefit until he is 70, and you are the surviving spouse and you have reached your full retirement age (FRA), you will receive 100% of your husband’s benefit at his time of death. If you claim your survivor benefit before your FRA, your survivor benefit will be reduced permanently based on your age.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
My cousin’s husband passed away in January, 2021..She filed for survivor benefits, they were married for 51 years. His monthly income from SS was $1300.00..her survival benefits from him came out to 139.00 per month. This seems awfully low for her. What can she do to file an appeal because this does not seem right. Shouldn’t she receive a much higher percentage of his benefits that this? I am asking for her because she does not use computers..
Our condolences to your cousin on the loss of her husband.
If your cousin’s own SS benefit is about $1300/month (before the husband dies), then she would only get an additional amount from her deceased husband to bring her total benefit up to 100% of what her husband was receiving when he passed. She doesn’t get 50% of his on top of her own; she’s only entitled to her own, or her husband’s – whichever is highest.
A widow receives 100% of the amount the husband was receiving, if that is more than she is getting from her personal lifetime earnings record. If she was previously collecting benefits from her own lifetime work record, and also an additional benefit as a spouse, then the spouse benefit stopped at her husband’s death, leaving her with only her own smaller benefit. Any survivor benefit she is entitled to (to bring her to 100% of what the husband was receiving at his death) would be added to her own smaller benefit. That is what most likely has happened.
The only other possible scenario is that your cousin has a pension from a Federal, State, or local government employer in a state which doesn’t require public service employees to pay into the Social Security program. She may have been a teacher or other public service employee in any of 26 states where state employees don’t participate in Federal Social Security and whose SS survivor benefits are affected by the Government Pension Offset (GPO). If GPO applies, any survivor benefit your cousin is entitled to from her deceased husband would be reduced by 2/3rds of the amount of her “non-covered” state pension. The GPO also applies to older Federal employees who retired from and have a pension under the old Federal Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS).
So, the question is: does your cousin have a “non-covered” pension from an employer which didn’t participate in the Federal Social Security program (thus neither your cousin or her employer paid into Social Security while her pension was being earned)? If so, her SS survivor benefit would be offset (reduced) by 2/3rds of her non-covered pension. If not, then it’s probable that her husband’s benefit when he died was a bit more than her own personal benefit from her own lifetime work record, yielding an additional $139 added to her own benefit.
Your cousin always has the right to file a “Request for Reconsideration” and if neither of the above are true then she should definitely do that. If SS has made an error in their computations, they will correct that. The Request for Reconsideration can be filed by calling SS at 1.800.772.1213, or by submitting via US Mail form SSA-561, which she can obtain at https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ssa-561.pdf.
Russell Gloor
National Social Security Advisor
The AMAC Foundation
my wife pass away at 60 from cancer i was 51 at the time of her passing and disabled we both were receiving ssdi checks a month am i entitled to widow benefits if yes what %
Steven,
Because you are disabled and now collecting SSDI, you may be entitled to a survivor benefit from your wife. Whether you should claim that, and how much you would get, depends on your current age. If you claim the survivor benefit at age 60 or under, you would be entitled to 71.5% of the SSDI benefit your wife was receiving at her death. If you claim after age 60 but before your full retirement age, the percentage would be a bit more (.396%) for each month you wait. When you reach your full retirement age (FRA) you would be eligible for 100% of the SSDI amount your wife was receiving and that would be the maximum survivor benefit you could be entitled to.
But here are some caveats: 1) You can only get one benefit; either your survivor benefit from your wife or your own SSDI benefit, whichever is more. 2) If you remarried before age 60 you are not eligible for a survivor benefit from your deceased wife. So if you didn’t remarry before age 60 and your survivor benefit from your wife will be more than your own SSDI benefit, you can claim the higher benefit by contacting Social Security.
Russell Gloor
National Social Security Advisor
The AMAC Foundation
My husband just died at age 56. He had end stage liver and kidney disease. He should have been on social security, but didn’t make it that far. Can I still claim a disability benefit for him?
Tambre,
Our condolences on the loss of your husband. You cannot claim your husband’s disability benefit after his death but, depending upon your age, you may be eligible for a survivor benefit from him. If you are at least 60 years old (or if you are between 50 and 60 and disabled) you would be eligible to collect a survivor benefit as your husband’s widow. The benefit amount you would be entitled to would be based upon the SS benefit your husband had earned up to the month he died, and your age when you claimed your survivor benefit. Claimed at age 60, your survivor benefit would be 71.5% of the benefit your husband had earned up to his death. The amount would increase a bit for each month you wait after 60 and reach maximum (100% of your husband’s earned benefit) when you reach your full retirement age (FRA). Your FRA is somewhere between 66 and 67, depending on the year you were born. Since I don’t know your current age I’ll add these points: 1) If you remarry before age 60 you would lose eligibility for your survivor benefit. 2) If you’re now over age 62 but under your FRA (thus eligible for your own SS) you have a choice to claim your survivor benefit now or wait until it reaches maximum to claim it. You don’t need to claim your survivor benefit as soon as you’re eligible for it; you can delay claiming it until it reaches maximum at your full retirement age. You can also claim your survivor benefit first and allow your own SS benefit to grow up to age 70 when your own benefit would reach maximum (and claim your own higher benefit later).
Russell Gloor
National Social Security Advisor
The AMAC Foundation
thanks for the info
I just want to know, if a couple gets married in there 60’s, how many years must they be married to be eligible for survivors benefits if one or the other dies??? I am talking currently married, no divorce involved…
Hi Patricia,
You must be married for at least 9 months to receive survivor benefits on your new spouse’s record unless their death is the result of an accident.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
When I become 60 and eligible for the widow benefits, will my retirement income count towards the annual income?
Hi Cathy,
The only income that will count towards the earnings limit, which is currently $18,960 for 2021, will be your earned income. Social Security will count your gross income on your W-2 or your net income if you are self-employed. However, your retirement income could affect the taxation of your widow benefits.
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
My wife died at 48, I am 54. She worked and probably qualifies for SS, however I made considerably more money and have far longer and would have a higher benefit amount. Does this basically mean my deceased wife’s SS benefit is “gone with the wind”?
Bryan,
No, it doesn’t as long as you take the survivor benefit on her record before you apply for your own benefit. You will become eligible for a survivor benefit on her record when you reach age 60 if you are single at that time. You will be subject to an earnings limit if you are still working, which currently for 2021 is $18,960, but tends to increase each year. If you go over the earnings limit Social Security will withhold $1 for every $2 you go over the limit. If your earnings are too high you won’t be able to claim your survivor benefit until your earnings decrease or you reach your full retirement age of 67 and the earnings limit ends. You will have the option to claim your survivor benefit based on your wife’s Social Security record, and delay taking your own higher retirement benefit later which allow your own benefit to grow up to age of 70, if you choose, while receiving your survivor benefit. If you remarry after your 60th birthday, you will still have this option.
If you are already 62 or older when you apply for your survivor benefit, you will need to restrict your application to your survivor benefit only. Do not delay applying for your own retirement benefit beyond age 70 as it will no longer grow.
There is a lot of discussion about changing Social Security rules, so as you are currently only 54, you should make sure no rules have changed when you start thinking about filing.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
My husband died on 05/13/2010, we were together for 22 years. I have been struggling ever since and when I originally applied for survivors benefits I couldn’t locate our marriage license and I am afraid he potentially never filed the marriage license. If that is the case will I truly not be entitled to any compensation for his death? I need help to see if I truly am shit out of luck.
Hi Brenda,
I am so sorry you are having such a difficult time claiming your survivor benefit. Have you contacted the church, clergy person, or clerk of courts where you were married? State laws vary from state to state, but in most states, you have to apply for a marriage license before you even get married. Do you remember what county you were married in? If you do I would start there. The officiant of your marriage ceremony should have filed your marriage certificate with the applicable recording agency in your county. As I am not an expert in this field or an attorney, I can only suggest you begin with the clerk of courts in the county you were married in.
Have you asked Social Security to assist you in finding your marriage license if you do not remember the county you were married in? You will need to complete the following form. https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ssa-3.pdf You may have to request a supervisor to assist you in this matter.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
My husband passed away and I wanted to know if I should take his benefits or wait until I retire in 3 months and take my SS. My SS will be more than his SS is presently.
Linda,
What you should do depends on your current age and how your own SS retirement benefit compares to your survivor benefit. If you haven’t yet reached your full retirement age (FRA) you may wish to wait until you do to collect any SS benefit. That’s because if you haven’t yet reached your FRA and are still working full time, you will be subject to Social Security’s “earnings test” until you reach your FRA. If you plan to retire from working in 3 months, it would probably be best to wait until you retire from work to start any SS benefit.
Then you’ll need to decide which one to take – your survivor benefit or your own SS retirement benefit. Your survivor benefit reaches maximum when you reach your FRA, but your own SS retirement benefit keeps growing until you are 70 (or until you take it before then). So, if your own benefit will eventually be higher than your survivor benefit from your husband, you can take the lower survivor benefit first and let your own grow. Then you can switch to your own higher benefit at a later time (but don’t wait past 70). If you still have some time before reaching your FRA, you can still take a reduced survivor benefit (only) first and delay taking your own benefit until later (to get the higher personal benefit). To recap: you have a choice of which benefit to claim, and you should strive to maximize your highest benefit. Your survivor benefit reaches maximum at your FRA; your own benefit reaches maximum at age 70. Take the smaller one first, but don’t wait beyond your FRA to claim your survivor benefit, and don’t wait beyond age 70 to claim your own.
If you need any further assistance, please contact us at ssadvisor@amacfoundation.org.
Russell Gloor
National Social Security Advisor
The AMAC Foundation.
If my spouse and I are both collecting s.s. benefits and my spouse passes. My spouses benefit is more then mine. Can i stop taking my benefit and start taking my spouses survivor benefit.
Tim,
Yes, if your spouse passes before you and her benefit is more than yours, you can switch to her higher benefit instead of your own. If you haven’t yet reached your full retirement age (FRA) when that happens and you aren’t collecting a spouse benefit from her, you can wait until you reach your full retirement age to get 100% of the amount your wife was receiving at her death (if you claim the survivor benefit before your FRA it will be reduced).
Russell Gloor
National Social Security Advisor
The AMAC Foundation
if I die, will get my spouse my SS money?
Fritz,
As your widow, your wife can get a survivor benefit from you if her own benefit on her own lifetime SS record is smaller. She can only get one benefit – either her own or her survivor benefit, whichever is higher. If she has reached her full retirement age when she claims the survivor benefit, she’ll get 100% of the amount you were receiving at your death. If she claims the survivor benefit any earlier than her full retirement age (FRA), it will be reduced actuarially according to the number of months prior to her FRA she claims it. The reduction for early claiming of her survivor benefit would be .396% per month early, or 4.75% per full year before her FRA that she claims.
Russell Gloor
National Social Security Advisor
The AMAC Foundation
My wife passed away in 2014 at age 66 after 32 years of marriage. Since we had a viable business with a good income, she had not yet filed for SSA Retirement Benefits. I contacted SSA to understand what, if any, benefits and options might be available since had paid in a lot of SSA to her account over the years. Because I was only 55 at the time, I was told I was not eligible for anything until I reached age 62.
I have now reached 62. The pandemic took our business. So now I am interested in learning more about my options.
Because of the pandemic, it has been almost impossible to reach anyone at SSA. Of the two scheduled calls I managed to arrange, one got cancelled and the second never occurred. Can you provide any oversight as to what my options are?
I am hoping to return to the workforce. However, the odds are not in my favor because I am a technologist and my age.
I assume your year of birth is 1959, which makes your full retirement age (FRA) 66 years and 10 months. If you take any benefit before you have reached your FRA it will be reduced, and if you are receiving early benefits and return to work, you will be subject to Social Security’s “earnings test” which limits how much you can earn from working before they take away some of your benefits (the earnings limit for 2021 is $18,960 and if that is exceeded SS will take back benefits equal to $1 for every $2 you are over the limit). If your earnings from work are high enough, you could be disqualified from receiving any benefits. The earnings limit lasts until you reach your full retirement age.
You were actually eligible for a survivor benefit from your wife when you reached 60 years of age, but if you were working full time in your business your earnings may have disqualified you from receiving a survivor benefit from your wife (due to the earnings limit). In any case, you do have the option to claim your reduced survivor benefit now and continue to receive that until you are ready to claim your own higher SS retirement benefit. You can claim only your survivor benefit and permit your own SS retirement benefit to continue to grow, up to age 70 if you like. At age 70, your own SS retirement benefit will be about 25% more than it would be at your FRA and about 70% more than it would be now. But just stay aware of the earnings limit which is imposed whenever you’re collecting early SS benefits (not a concern as long as you’re still not working, but will become a factor if/when you return to work).
Claimed at any age before your full retirement age, your survivor benefit will be reduced (by .396% for each month prior to FRA you claim it). Your survivor benefit will reach maximum at your FRA, so if you don’t return to work, one strategy might be to claim your survivor benefit (only) early and allow your personal SS benefit to grow to maximum at age 70. If you return to work, it would be prudent to wait until your FRA to claim your survivor benefit (only), avoid the earnings limit, and delay claiming your own SS retirement benefit until it reaches maximum at age 70. Of course all of this assumes that you don’t urgently need your own higher SS benefit now, and that you will enjoy at least average longevity (early 80s).
Please feel free to email us at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org, or call us at 1.888.750.2622 with any further questions.
Russell Gloor
National Social Security Advisor
The AMAC Foundation
I was married to my ex husband for 22 years and we have been divorced for 13 years. He passed away in February of 2021. I just received my first survivors disability check (he and I were both disabled) and my question is: can I live with someone and still receive my monthly check and can I get married some day without losing my benefits?
Karen,
Yes, you can live with someone while collecting your survivor benefit from your deceased husband. And, provided you don’t remarry before you are 60 years old, you can “some day” get married again and continue to collect the survivor benefit from your deceased husband. But if you remarry before age 60, you would lose your survivor benefit from your deceased husband.
Russell Gloor
National Social Security Advisor
The AMAC Foundation
lm a widow,my husband was drawing 132% on his SS, AM I ABLE TO COLLECT SS WITH 132%, I’LL BE 67, IN NOV. 16 2021
Hi Cynthia,
First, let me offer my condolences on the loss of your husband. You are eligible to receive 100% of your husband’s benefits, including all the Delayed Retirement Credits he earned which increased his benefit to 132%, as of your 66th birthday, your full retirement age (FRA) if you were born in 1954. You do not state when your husband passed, but if it was within the last six months, as you are more than six months beyond your FRA Social Security will pay you up to six months in retroactive benefits.
You need to contact your local Social Security office to apply for your survivor benefit. Use the following link to obtain their phone number: https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp If you have not yet started taking your own retirement benefits, and your own benefit will be larger than your husband’s benefit when you reach age 70, you have the option to restrict your application for your survivor benefit to survivor benefits only, while allowing your own benefits to continue to grow.
Please contact me if you have any more questions.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
How long do I have to be married in order to receive benefits an could I loose my benefits on 100% disabled remarried
Hi Sharon,
It’s sounds like you are planning on getting remarried. Congratulations! If you are currently receiving benefits on an a deceased spouse (or ex-spouse) as a surviving spouse, and you have passed your 60th birthday, you will not lose your current survivor benefits. If you are currently receiving benefits based strictly on your own retirement record, you will not lose your benefits.
If you are receiving a spousal benefit on an ex-spouse it will end the month before you remarry. Unless you are marrying someone who is receiving a widow(er)’s, mother’s, father’s, childhood disability, divorced spouse’s or parents benefit.
To be eligible for benefits on your new spouses record, if they are receiving their Social Security benefits already, and you had an ex-spousal benefit end, you become eligible for a spousal benefit on their record after one month of marriage (if it is higher than the benefit you are currently receiving). If your new spouse is not yet receiving Social Security benefits, and you had been receiving ex-spousal benefits that have stopped due to the remarriage, you will become eligible for spousal benefits as soon as your new spouse starts collecting Social Security. If you were not receiving ex-spousal benefits that stopped due to the re-marriage, there is a one year waiting period before you become eligible for a spousal benefit on your new spouse’s record (9 months for survivor benefits).
There are a lot of rules when it comes to survivor and spousal benefits. If you would like more specific answers pertaining to your personal situation please contact me.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
Well how much since I m age 69
Hi Sharon,
We are not affiliated with the Social Security Administration and are therefore unable to access your records. If you would like to know the amount of any benefits available to you, please contact your local Social Security office. Use the following link to obtain their phone number: https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
My husband died April 19, 2021. I lived full time with him, we had been married for 51 years. I am a railroad retiree so my social security and railroad benefits are paid through the railroad retirement board. The RRB also managed my husband’s social security and railroad benefits he received because as my spouse he received a small railroad benefit. My husband never worked for the railroad. I have spent hours just trying to claim the $255.00 widow’s benefit from Social Security. I was told by SS admins to apply to the Railroad Benefit Board. The Railroad Retirement Board informed me the RRB will not pay this benefit because my husband neve worked for the railroad and referred me back to regular Social Security. They told me to ask for a manager if the person did not understand this situation. In addition SSAdmin sent me a letter informing me they could not pay the benefit because their records show he had no benefits. I am tired of being bounced from one agency to the other, I just want the benefit I am entitled to receive. My husband’s name is Leonard Leroy Lehman, BD 2-20-1934. Please help me.
Hi Pat,
First, let me offer my condolences on the loss of your husband. Unfortunately, as Social Security Advisors we have to direct you to the railroad for any benefits you might be eligible for under your deceased spouse’s Social Security record, even though he never worked for the railroad. I can only recommend that that you do as your contact at the Railroad Benefit Board suggested, request a manager when you contact Social Security that should be versed in whether or not your railroad benefits are affecting your eligibility for the $255 lump sum payment. As we are not versed in Railroad Benefits, and you state your husband’s Social Security record shows he had no benefits, I have no way of knowing why they would be saying that he has no benefits if he did work and pay into the Social Security system for at least 10 years and earned his required 40 quarters.
If you find you are getting nowhere with Social Security, and the Railroad Benefit Board can’t let you know whether or not you would still be eligible for the payment and they once again redirect you to Social Security, another option you have available to you is to contact your local Representative and ask for their assistance in dealing with Social Security. You may use the following link to locate your local Representative: https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
I have recently become disabled. My husband was receiving disability benefits when he was killed. I am now receiving disability beneifits. I am 58. Am I eligible for his SSD.
Hi Janet,
Please let me offer my condolences on the loss of your husband. A disabled surviving spouse, if the disability occurred within 7 years of your husband’s death, become eligible for a survivor benefit at age 50.
If you were disabled within that 7 year period, you can file for your survivor benefit at this time if his benefit would be higher than your own. However, you would take a 28.5% reduction to the amount he was receiving at his time of death. This would be a permanent reduction.
If his benefit was higher than your own, you do have the option to wait to your full retirement age (FRA) of 67 to claim your survivor benefit and then you would receive 100% of his benefit at the time of death including all cost of living increases from the date of his death.
You will only receive the higher of the two benefits, not both. If you decide you want to apply at this time you need to contact your local Social Security office as you can not apply online for survivor benefits.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
My husband passed in June, 2021 at the age of 83. As his surviving wife, age 83, will I have to pay taxes on his Social Security?
First, let me offer my condolences on the loss of your husband. Whether or not will have to pay taxes on your husband’s Social Security benefits, depends on whether or not you have any other income. When your only income is Social Security you usually don’t have to pay taxes.
As we don’t have any tax advisors on staff with the AMAC Foundation, if you still file taxes, I recommend you speak with your tax advisor about your tax situation.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
If a spouse passes away and then the widow remarried is she still eligible for her late husbands benefits when she turns 60?
Hi Dennis,
When someone’s current spouse (or ex-spouse) dies you become eligible for a survivor benefit on their record as early as the age of 60. For a current spouse you had to be married at least 9 months and for an ex-spouse, you had to be married at least 10 years.
If you remarry before your 60th birthday (50th if a disabled widow(er) ) you lose your eligibility to apply for survivor benefits on that spouse’s record unless your re-marriage ends upon your currents spouse’s death or in divorce. At that time you would once again be eligible on the previous spouse’s record and could claim the higher of the two benefits.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
Thank you for what you do.
I am researching survivor benefits for my adult daughter who has been registered disabled since childhood and is not married. When I die she is entitled to a significant benefit from my social security which will help to finance her. If she is earning money will that benefit reduce as does her own SSI? If she marries and her husband is also low income/disabled, will she lose entitlement to her survivor benefit?
Thank you.
Hi Chris,
When a parent of an adult disabled child starts receiving their Social Security benefits, and that adult disabled child is on SSI, you are required to sign them up for a dependent benefit on your Social Security record. They are at that time eligible for a benefit equal to 50% of your full retirement age (FRA) benefit amount, regardless of what age you begin your own retirement benefit. If the amount is less than the amount of SSI they are receiving, the difference will be offset by SSI so the amount of their benefit remains the same.
If your adult disabled child is your survivor, they will then receive a benefit equal to 75% of your Primary Insurance amount (usually equal to your FRA amount) at your time of death. The advantage is that SSI is subject to an asset limit, whereas SSDI is not. Her Medicaid eligibility would still be affected by an asset limit. She would be receiving disability benefits so they are still subject to a monthly earnings limit of $1,310 per month at this time. This amount usually increases each year. The difference is as long as she earns less then this amount each month, her SSDI payment would not be reduced. Should she go over the monthly amount, she would lose her entire payment for the month. Any time someone on disability wants to try and work, I strongly recommend they participate in the “Ticket to Work Program” to protect their disability status. https://www.ssa.gov/work/
If she is receiving benefits as a disabled “adult child,” the benefits generally end if she would get married. However, some marriages are considered protected, such as if she were to marry another disabled “adult child.” Meaning she would be able to keep her benefits under your record.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
My husband passed Jan. 5, 2021. I applied for survivor benefits in Feb. 2021. All required info has been received by SSA. I still do not have my husband’s amount (which is higher). Or the $255.00 burial benefit. Canyou help?
Hi Norma,
First, let me offer my condolences on the loss of your husband. The AMAC Foundation is not affiliated with the Social Security Administration (SSA) and therefore we cannot access your account to verify the status of your benefits.
I recommend you contact your local Social Security office and ask what the status of your claim is. The date you applied for your survivor benefits is known as your “protective filing date.” This means you will receive all payments due you when your application is finally processed.
Benefits are paid out based on the number holder’s birthday. This means that your payment date will now be based on your husband’s birthday and not yours. If his birthday was the 1st thru the 10th, you will receive your survivor benefit on the 2nd Wednesday of each month, the 11th thru the 20th, the 3rd Wednesday of each month, and the 21st to the end of the month, the 4th Wednesday of each month. Like all Social Security benefits, they are paid one month behind.
As it is only the second Wednesday of the month, and his birthday is not between the 1st and the 10th, it could be the reason you haven’t received your survivor benefits yet. But once again, contacting your local Social Security office is the only way to know for sure.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
My daughter is said to receive social security, as my husband has died. Can she continue receiving SSI if she is in school (college)? And until what age?
Hi Pamela,
Children can receive survivor benefits on their deceased parent until they turn 18 (19 if still in high school). If the child has not yet graduated from high school when they turn 18, the child will receive a form in the mail from Social Security to submit to their high school to verify their graduation date. At that time the payment will go into the child’s name in the month they turn 18. They will receive their last payment in the month they graduate from high school, or turn 18, whichever comes first, as Social Security pays one month behind.
The only time a child receives survivor benefits beyond this age is if they are an adult disabled child that was disabled before the age of 22.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
My wife passed last year from Covid-19. Am I eliable to receive her benefits or get a survivor benefit?
Arnold,
First let me offer my condolences on the loss of your wife. Whether or not you qualify for a survivor benefit on your wife depends on your current situation. You are eligible for the one time lump sum payment of $255. If you haven’t applied for it or received it yet, you need to as soon as possible, as you only have two years to claim it.
To be eligible for a survivor benefit you have to be married at least 9 months. If you are already receiving your own Social Security benefits your benefit has to less than hers was at her time of death for you get survivor benefits on her Social Security record. The surviving spouse only gets to keep the higher of the your two benefits, the smaller benefit ends.
If you are not receiving your own retirement benefits yet you do have an option to be able to your claim your wife’s Social Security benefits, even if they are less than your own. A surviving spouse becomes eligible for survivor benefits at age 60, 50 if disabled. If you were to take your survivor benefits at this time, your benefit would be reduced by 28.5% and it would be a permanent reduction. If you are 62 or older, and have not yet started your own retirement benefits, you have the option to restrict your application to your survivor benefits only, while allowing your own benefits to continue to grow until the age of 70 or any time it becomes larger. The survivor benefit reaches 100% of her benefit at your full retirement age (FRA) and your own retirement benefit quits growing at age 70, so do not delay beyond these times.
If you take either benefit before your FRA you will be subject to an earnings limit. The limit is $18,960 annually, or $1,580 per month, for 2021, and if you go over this limit Social Security will withhold $1 for every $2 you go over. In the year you reach your FRA the earnings limit increases by almost 2/3, $50,520 or $4,210 per month. If you go over the limit Social Security will withhold $1 for every $3 you go over. Once again, this amount tends to increase each year.
You have to contact your local Social Security office to claim your survivor benefits. You may locate the phone number by using the following link: https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
Hello, my wife recently died from cancer at the young age of 54. I am 55. She had been on SSDI for about 2 years as she could no longer work. Are there any benefits to me as her spouse? We did not have any children. It just seems wrongthat my wife paid into Social Security since she was a teenager and never got to see her return. To me it seems like a crime that the govt commits by keeping all that money she would have been paid.
Scott
First, let me offer you my condolences on the loss of your wife. You are too young at this time to collect a survivor benefit on her record, unless you are also disabled, as a disabled widow(er) can collect a survivor benefit at age 50 if the survivor benefit is higher. The only benefit you qualify for at this time is the one-time lump-sum death benefit of $255. You need to contact Social Security to claim it. You may locate the phone number to your local office by using the following link: https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp
When you turn 60 (and are still single) you become eligible for a survivor benefit based on the amount of her benefit at her time of death, including all the cost of living increases since that time. If you were to start your survivor benefit at age 60, it would be reduced by 28.5%, and it would be a permanent reduction. You would also be subject to an earnings limit if you are still working. The annual limit for 2021 is $18,960, or $1,580 per month. This amount usually increases every year. The earnings limit increases by almost 2/3 in the year you reach your full retirement age (FRA), for 2021 that limit is $50,520.
If you are 62 or older when you apply for your survivor benefit, you will have the option to restrict your application to your survivor benefit only and allow your own retirement benefit to grow up to the age of 70. When you reach your FRA the survivor benefit will no longer grow, and you will be eligible for 100% of her benefit at the time of death and you will also no longer be subject to an earnings limit.
The surviving spouse can only receive the higher of the two benefits. You do have the option to collect on her record and your own but at separate times
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
I was divorced in 2018 My ex died by suicide in 2020 wanted to find out what my benefits would be I was married over 10 years
My husband passed away a few years ago. We’re fairly young when it happened. Him 21 me 22. I still have his last name if i change my last name will i still get survival benefits?
Ashley,
First, let me offer you my condolences for losing your husband at such a young age. If you remarry and your last name changes, it will not affect your eligibility for a survivor benefit on his record. If you remarry before your 60th birthday, you will not be able to claim a benefit on his record while in a current marriage.
Under a special rule, Social Security can pay survivor benefits, even if his record doesn’t have enough credits to qualify. Odds are as young as you are, his benefit will be smaller than your own. If you are single when you turn 60, you will have the option to claim a survivor benefit on his record while allowing your own retirement to continue to grow.
Social Security rules may change before you turn 60, so you should verify the current rules as you get closer to your age of eligibility.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
A female that was married 2 times and is now devoiced from her 2nd husband. Can she collect social security as a widow, based
on her 1st husband’s earnings since he died during their marriage ?
James,
If she was married to her first husband at least nine months when he passed away, she is eligible for a survivor benefit since she is currently single again. She must be at least 60 years old to be eligible for claiming it at this time. If she claims her survivor benefit on his record before she reaches her full retirement age (FRA) it will be reduced according to her age and it will be a permanent reduction.
There are other factors that affect a decision on when to claim survivor benefits. If she has further questions please have her contact us.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
I’m Robert L Langston my wife Sharon J Langston passed 04/27/2020 I was told I can draw widowers benefits from my wife S S , is this true !
Robert,
Whether or not you are eligible for a widowers benefit on your wife’s Social Security record, depends on whether or not you meet all the qualifications.
You have to have been married for at least nine months at her time of death, you must be at least 60 years old (50 if disabled) and her benefit at time of death ( if she wasn’t taking it yet it would be equivalent to her full retirement age benefit) has to be higher than your own benefit if you have already began taking your benefits. If you have not yet began taking your own retirement benefits, and if her benefit is smaller than your own, you have the option to restrict your application to your widower benefit only and allow your own retirement benefit to continue to grow up to the age of 70.
You are unable to apply for Survivor benefits online, you have to contact your local Social Security office to make an appointment to apply over the phone. Use the following link to obtain the phone number to your local office: https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
My husband died unexpectable on Jan. 25th. We had lived to gether for 1 1/2 years and then married for 7 months and 1 week before he passed. Am I eligible for anything? I am 61 years old and all of our children are grown (he had 3 sons and I have a son and a daughter). I need help financially and he was retired from the military. The Military has nothing for me as we weren’t married 10 years. My husband worked after he retired at jobs for the city, auto maker and owned a restuarant. He was 52 at the time he passed..
Myra,
First let me offer my condolences on the loss of your husband. Without knowing the circumstances of your husband’s death, I can’t actually say whether or not you are eligible for a survivor benefit on your husband’s Social Security record. A spouse becomes eligible for a survivor benefit at age 60 if you were married for at least 9 months on the day the spouse died. The nine-month rule only applies if the deceased spouse knew that his death was imminent at the time of marriage. If his death was totally unexpected (meaning your spouse was reasonably expected to live at least nine months at the time of marriage) or the result of an accident, you will need to submit proof to Social Security to claim your survivor benefit. If his death was unexpected you should start by contacting your local office. You can obtain their local number using the following link: https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
I was turned down for widows benefits. Social security said I never sent my marriage license which I did twice. Do I need a lawyer to collect? I filed an appeal but haven’t heard from them yet. This is so unfair. Any suggestions? Thank you.
Sharon
If your widow benefits are being turned down solely due to Social Security saying they haven’t received your marriage license, you have an option to request bringing your marriage license in person to your local Social Security office. Effective May 28, 2021, Social Security field offices nationwide have begun offering “Express Interviews” (EXI) available for the purpose of gathering the evidence needed for processing claims.
I recommend that you call your local office and request bringing a certified copy of your marriage license into your local office to get your application finalized. Did you send the other two copies by certified mail? If you did take the proof of delivery receipts with you as proof of your original application date. Use the following link to obtain the phone number to your local office: https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp
Please contact me if I can be of further assistance.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
if widow remarries before 60 and then gets divorced can she then collect late husbands’ SS?
Carly,
Yes, once your divorce from your second marriage became final, you once again became eligible to collect on your deceased husband’s Social Security record. If you have now reached your full retirement age (FRA) you are eligible for 100% of his benefit at his time of death, including all cost of living increases since then, as long as his benefit is higher than what you currently receiving, your own smaller benefit will stop. If you are younger than your FRA your survivor benefit will be reduced, and it will be a permanent reduction.
If you are younger than your FRA, and not yet collecting your own retirement benefits, you also have the option to restrict your application to your survivor benefit only, if it will be smaller than your own retirement benefit. By doing this you will have the option to allow your own benefit to grow up to your age of 70, or any time it will be higher. You can also restrict your application to your own reduced retirement benefit if it will always be smaller, then claim your survivor benefit at your FRA as it will not grow beyond that time. If you are claiming any benefits before your FRA, you will also be subject to an earnings limit of $18,960 annually, equivalent to $1,580 per month, and Social Security will withhold $1 for every $2 you go over the limit. If you will be reaching your FRA this year you can earn up to $50,520 equivalent to $4,210 per month before the month you reach your FRA. These limits usually increase each year.
If this is the case, contact your local Social Security office. You may locate their phone number using the following link: https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp
Social Security Office Locator, SSA Office Locator Social Security Office Locator, Social Security
Office-Search-and-Results. On Tuesday, March 17, 2020, we suspended face-to-face service to the public in our field offices and hearings offices nationwide until further notice.
secure.ssa.gov
You will have to submit a copy of your marriage license from your marriage to your deceased husband, and possibly your current divorce papers to prove your current single status unless you have already notified Social Security of your divorce due to a name change. You can only apply for a survivor benefit over the phone as the offices are still currently closed. They will let you know exactly what they want you to submit and they will have to be certified copies.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
My husband died 07/19/2021, I have an appointment with SS 08/23/21, on the phone. Normally I get my SS on the 3rd & cannot spend his until I qualify for his SS & mine goes away. When I go to my SS online it states I am to receive mine today, but it’s not in my account? Is this normal?
Jane,
First, let me offer you my condolences on the loss of your husband. Were you receiving a spousal benefit based on your husband’s record? If you were, the spousal benefit ends in the month before the month in which your husband died, meaning you would have received your last spousal benefit in July, for the month of June.
As we are not affiliated with the Social Security Administration, we cannot check your record for the reason you did not receive your payment this month. I recommend you contact your local Social Security office and ask why you didn’t receive your payment.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
Hello,
I am currently 65 and will be 66 in May 2022, and I am still working and plan to work until I am 70. Reviewing my work history on the Social Security site my current Social Security today is projected to be $2,462, and my projected full retirement rate next year (age 66, 4 months) is projected to be $2,698 per month. My spouse retired early and start receiving her Social Security at age 62, and the current amount she receives today is $932. If I work until I am 70 whereas my Social Security is projected to be $3,631 at todays rate., would it be wise for me to wait until I’m age 70 to start receiving my maximum Security Security amount? Or should I plan to start collecting at my full retirement age (66 and 4 months), taking in consideration the maximum family amount involved? Also since I love my job and enjoy the benefit of working from home, would it be beneficial for me from a Social Security perspective if I continue working until age 70, and then begin collecting my Social Security at my full retirement age?
Gregory,
When to take your Social Security benefits is a personal decision only you and your wife can make. First off, the family max does not affect a married couple with no other dependents receiving benefits on their record. You need to take your finances, 401Ks, IRAs, savings, your health, your expected longevity (family history), and the surviving spouse into consideration. How heavily dependent will you be on your Social Security benefits? Do you need the money more now or later? The surviving spouse will get to keep the highest of your two benefits and the smaller benefit will stop. The fact that your wife took her own benefit at age 62 will not affect the amount of her survivor benefit, should she be the surviving spouse, as long as she has reached her full retirement age (FRA) she will receive 100% of your benefit at the time of your death.
You do not mention how old your wife currently is so it is hard for me to determine whether or not she will be eligible for a spousal benefit when you finally apply for your retirement benefits. A spousal benefit occurs when 50% of your FRA benefit is more than 100% of your spouse’s FRA benefit amount. If you know what she would have received at her FRA, the difference will be added to her current amount. Example: 50% of your FRA amount ($2,698) less 100% of her FRA amount (?) would be added to her current amount of $932 if she has reached her FRA when you apply. If she was born after January 1st, 1954, her spousal benefit will be added automatically beginning in the month your own benefits begin, regardless of her age, if she has not yet reached her FRA her spousal benefit will also be reduced. If she was born on January 1st, 1954, or before, she will have to apply for her spousal benefit when you apply, if she is eligible for one.
You also need to take into consideration, when you have other income up to 85% of your Social Security benefits will be subject to taxes based on your personal tax rate.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
how do I receive survivor benefits? my wife died
Ted,
First, let me offer you my condolences on the loss of your wife. To apply for survivor benefits you have to contact your local Social Security office to make an appointment to apply over the phone as all the offices are currently closed. To obtain the phone number to your local office use the following link: https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp
If you were married at least nine months, you are eligible for the one-time lump-sum death benefit of $255. To be eligible for a survivor benefit based on your wife’s Social Security record her benefit at her time of death has to be higher than your own retirement benefit unless you are not yet receiving your own retirement benefits.
A surviving spouse becomes eligible to receive survivor benefits as early as age 60 (50 if disabled) but the amount will be reduced by 28.5% You will also be subject to an earnings limit of $18,960 annually and Social Security will withhold $1 for every $2 you go over that amount if you are under your full retirement age (FRA). In the year you will reach your FRA the earnings limit goes up to $50,520. These are the limits for 2021, and they tend to increase each year.
If you are not yet receiving your own benefits, you have the option to restrict your application to take the benefit of your choice first. If your own benefit will always be higher than your wife’s benefit, you should restrict your application to your survivor benefit only which will allow your own benefit to continue to grow until you turn 70, or until any age that it will be larger than your survivor benefit. Survivor benefits reach their maximum at your FRA, so if your survivor benefit will always be the highest benefit available to you, do not delay taking it beyond your FRA.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
What are the exceptions for widow benefits?
Patricia,
I actually need more information to respond to you properly so I will provide you with some general information about survivor benefits.
A spouse becomes eligible for a survivor benefit at age 60 (50 if disabled) if you were married for at least 9 months on the day the spouse died. The nine-month rule only applies if the deceased spouse knew that his death was imminent at the time of marriage. If his death was totally unexpected (meaning your spouse was reasonably expected to live at least nine months at the time of marriage) or the result of an accident.
The survivor benefit is not subject to deemed filing. This means that if your spouse should pass away and you haven’t started taking any benefits yet, you have the option to restrict your application to either your own retirement benefit or your survivor benefit if you are at least 62, allowing the benefit that will eventually be the highest to continue to grow. The survivor benefit quits growing at your full retirement age (FRA) and your own retirement benefit at age 70. Do not delay taking either benefit beyond the age it quit growing.
When you take any Social Security benefit before you reach your FRA you are subject to an earnings limit. For 2021 it is $18,960 annually, if you go over the limit Social Security will withhold $1 for every $2 your go over. If you will reach your FRA this year it increases to $50,520 and Social Security will withhold $1 for every $3 you go over. This limit is subject to change each year and it usually increases.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
If a husband dies in his 40s , disabled, and now the 2 dependent children have reached 18, will the wife, who has never remarried, be able to draw benefits at age 47?If so, will this be automatic or does she need to apply?
Lona
You will not become eligible to draw your widow benefits on your deceased husband’s record until you are 60 years old (50 if disabled within 7 years of his death). If you are still single when you turn 60 you will be able to apply for your widow benefit but will only receive a benefit equal to 71.5% of his benefit at the time of his death plus any cost of living increases at that time. Also, if you are working at that time you will be subject to an earnings limit, that if you go over it, Social Security will withhold $1 for every $2 you go over. The current earnings limit is $18,960 for 2021, and this usually increases every year. Your current expected full retirement (FRA) age is 67, and if you wait until your FRA, you will receive 100% of his benefit at his time of death.
As you are so young yet, you will want to check on current Social Security rules when you become eligible for your survivor benefits, as the rules may have changed by that time.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
When I turn 60 next year, can I apply for by deceased husband’s benefits, even though I am working?
Karen,
If you are currently single you become eligible to receive your widow benefits at age 60. If you start them at that time, you will only receive 71.5% of your deceased husband’s benefit at his time of death, and it will be a permanent reduction.
As you are still working you will also be subject to an earnings limit, which for 2021 is $18,960 annually, equivalent to $1,580 per month. If you go over this limit Social Security will withhold $1 for every $2 you go over. This limit usually increases each year but we will not have this information until later this year.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
My husband passed away in March he was 58. I am 56. Could i start his SS benefits at age 60? Confirming it would be 71.5% How long can I draw his benefits for? Also, it would not affect me collecting my full benefits at FRA correct?. Does getting remarried affect this benefit? Could it still be filed for if remarried?
Glenda
First, let me offer my condolences on the loss of your husband. Yes, you are correct that you can start collecting your widow’s benefit as early as age 60 and receive a benefit equal to 71.5% of your husband’s benefit at his time of death (it will be a permanent reduction), including any cost of living increases since that time. As long as you do not remarry before your 60th birthday you will be able to still claim your widow benefit after you remarry. If you remarry before your 60th birthday you will not be able to receive it unless you were to become single once again through a divorce or the death of your new spouse.
Taking your widow benefit at a reduced amount will not affect the amount of your own FRA benefit or your ability to collect it. If you are already 62 or approaching 62 when you apply for your widow benefits make sure you restrict your application to your survivor benefits only, which will allow you to delay taking your own retirement benefit, as long as it will be larger, up to the age of 70 when your benefit would reach its maximum amount.
If you are working when you turn 60 you will also be subject to an earnings limit. The earnings limit for 2021 is $18,960 annually, and if you go over the limit Social Security will withhold $1 for every $2 you go over. This limit usually increases each year.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
if my wife were to die before me would i recieve her social security benifits
Harry,
The surviving spouse receives the higher of the two benefits available. If your benefit is smaller than your wife’s benefit you would then receive her larger benefit and your smaller benefit will stop. You do not receive both benefits. You will be eligible for the one-time lump-sum death benefit of $255, regardless of who’s benefit is higher. The same scenario will pertain to your wife if she is the surviving spouse.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
Great podcast. Thank you. I am 58, a federal retiree understand FERS. My wife recently died at age 64. She was still eating and nit yet collecting any SS benefits. Will I be able to receive some of her SS benefits at age 60? Also, if I receive her survivor benefit, will it affect the FERS retirement supplement that I am receiving until age 62?… and, when should I apply for survivor benefits. My 60th birthday or before?
David
The fact that you are receiving a FERS pension will not affect your eligibility for your survivor benefit on your deceased wife’s Social Security record. The only time a survivor benefit is affected is if you worked in a position that didn’t pay into Social Security and receive a pension. You will be able to claim your survivor benefit as early as age 60 and would receive 71.5% of her benefit at that time. Survivor benefits can only be applied for over the phone or in-person and you should apply 3 months before you want them to start.
I am not aware of receiving Social Security benefits having any effect on a FERS pension, that is a question you would have to ask your OPM administrator. I do know survivor benefits do not affect a CSRS Offset pension, only their own Social Security benefit.
You mention you are retired, but if you are working at all, you will be subject to an earnings limit. It is currently an annual limit of $18,960 for 2021, but it tends to increase each year.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
Hi, I would appreciate any info you could provide… My Husband passed away this week at age 56 after a very short battle with cancer. We had applied for Social Security Disability in the weeks prior. He told me I would be entitled to his SS benefits but from what I am seeing this does not seem accurate? I am 53 years old. If he was approved for the application submitted would that mean that would change things? A decision was not made before he passed away. I really don’t want to lose the house if at all possible……. Thank you in advance for any info you could offer….
Jenny
First, let me offer my condolences on the loss of your husband. A surviving spouse does not become eligible for a survivor benefit until they are 60 years old, 50 if disabled.
For any benefits to be paid to you as his surviving spouse at this time, it would have to be any payments he would have received depending on what Social Security would determine his disability onset date to be. Social Security Disability (SSDI) has a 5 month waiting period to receive any payments so if Social Security were to determine the onset date of his disability was more than 5 months before his death, the claim could be worth pursuing because there could be a closed period of benefits due.
As you state your husband applied for SSDI only weeks before his death, unfortunately, his onset date may not be more than 5 months, and no benefits would be payable. If this is the case, you will only be eligible for the lump-sum death benefit of $255 until you turn 60, and at that time you would only receive 71.5% of the amount of his benefit at the time of his death.
If you feel his onset date was more than 5 months prior to his death, you may want to talk with a Social Security Disability attorney, they all give free consultations on whether or not they think you should pursue his disability case.
* When an applicant dies after filing a disability claim, if your relationship to the applicant is one that allows you to collect as a beneficiary, you should report the deceased person’s death to the SSA by calling 800-772-1213 or your local office: https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp. Then you’ll need to submit a Social Security Administration (SSA) form called Notice Regarding Substitution of Party Upon Death of Claimant (Form HA-539) and a copy of the applicant’s death certificate from the proper local authority.
Social Security Office Locator, SSA Office Locator Social Security Office Locator, Social Security
Office-Search-and-Results. On Tuesday, March 17, 2020, we suspended face-to-face service to the public in our field offices and hearings offices nationwide until further notice.
secure.ssa.gov
If you decide to continue the processing of his disability claim, it may take some time for it to be settled. I wish I could give you more encouraging news.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
My wife passed in August of 2019 at the age of 73. I am 78 and my wife handled all of the housing affairs and I have been grieving and finally assign my sister as my POA to help me. I didn’t know to sign for Survivors Benefits even though I visited the SS office a few weeks after my wife passing and was told about the $255.00 but nothing was mentioned to be about Survivor Benefits. Will the two years of my wife benefits that I have been eligible for be retroactive or will I have to do appeal or letter of reconsideration?
Hardy,
To be eligible for a survivor benefit on your deceased wife’s Social Security record, her benefit at her time of death would have had to have been higher than your own Social Security benefit. You are not able to receive both benefits only the higher of the two and the smaller benefit stops. If your wife’s benefit was higher than your own, and Social Security didn’t switch you over to hers at the time you went into the office and applied for the death benefit of $255, I would then suggest you submit a Request for Reconsideration requesting benefits back to her date of death, because normally Social Security only pays six months of retroactive benefits.
If you do not remember if your deceased wife’s benefit was higher than your own benefit, contact your local Social Security office and ask if you are eligible for a survivor benefit on her record. You may locate the phone number for your local office by using the following link:https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government..
My Father just passed away this month. He was 68 and getting social security. Can his wife (who will be 72 next month) collect anything from his social security if she made more monthly than his social security checks?
Matt
First, let me offer my condolences on the loss of your father. The surviving spouse only receives the highest of the two benefits available to them. If your father’s wife’s benefit was higher than your father’s, she is only eligible for the one-time lump-sum death benefit of $255. She should call her local Social Security office to claim it. You may locate that number for her by using the following link and entering her zip code: https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government..
My ex husband was deceased In 2019, I was married to him fo 13/12 years, we were married in 1985 -1999, I want to file for my social security benefits now, to have them started by the time I turn 60 what forms do I need to fill out or how can you help?
First my condolences on your loss. Since you were married to your late ex-husband for more than 10 years you meet the 10-years married rule. However, if you have remarried before the age of 60 and you are still married, you cannot collect a survivor benefit from your ex-spouse. But if you to remarry after the age of 60, you remain eligible to collect a survivor benefit from your ex-husband even while being married to your current spouse. You can apply for benefits by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. You ask to set up an appointment to apply for your survivor benefits. Some of the information you will need are: Your name and Social Security number.Your name at birth (if different).Your late ex-husband’s name, gender, social security number, date of birth, date of death, and place of death. Your date of birth and place of birth (State or foreign country).The dates and locations of your marriages, and for marriages that have ended, how, when, and where they ended; (if you have several marriages)I also want to point out that your survivor benefits will be reduced by 28.5 percent and that is a permanent reduction other than the yearly cost-of-living adjustments (COLA). If you need any further information, please don’t hesitate to contact us again.
Eileen Cook
Social Security Advisor
The AMAC Foundation
My wife died at age 37 in 2005. I am now 59 years old and never remarried. When I turn 60, will I be eligible for widow benefits?
Will,
Yes, a widow(er) becomes eligible for a survivor benefit at age 60 if they are not currently remarried. If you take your survivor benefit at that time you will only receive 71.5% of her benefit at her time of death which will include all the cost of living increases since that time.
However, you will be subject to an earnings limit, which for 2021 is $18,960 annually or $1,580 per month. This is based on your gross W-2 income before any reductions or your net self-employed income. If you go over this limit Social Security will withhold $1 for every $2. This limit tends to increase each year. In the year you reach your full retirement age (FRA) the earnings limit increases almost 2/3. For 2021 the limit is $50,520 annually or $4,210 that you can earn before the month you reach your FRA. This amount also increases each year.
If you are still working, and the earnings limit prevents you from taking your survivor benefit at age 60, you will have another option available to you when you turn at least age 62. Once you are at least 62, if you are still single or didn’t remarry until after age 60, you will have the option to claim the smaller of the two benefits available first, while allowing the higher benefit to continue to grow. Your survivor benefit will quit growing at your FRA and your own retirement benefit will quit growing at the age of 70. You must make sure to restrict your application to the benefit that you want to take first.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government..
My kids father passed away on the 5th of September. I wasnt married to him but we do have 2 kids. Daughter 18 in college and son 15 in highschool. He was married and had a 7 year girl with his wife. I wanted to know how to get the survivor benefits for our kids started and if thiers will be effected by his current wife and younger child? He was 39 years old.
Amanda,
Your oldest child is not eligible for benefits on their deceased father’s record but your younger child is. He will be eligible for benefits until he turns 18 years old or 19 if still in high school. Children in college do not qualify for benefits even if they are only 18 years old.
His wife and 7-year-old child will affect the amount of your son’s benefit due to the “Family Maximum.” The family maximum can be as high as 188% and how much your son will receive will depend on whether his father’s wife takes the child-in-care credit or not. If she doesn’t take it, your son will receive a benefit equal to 75% of his father’s Social Security benefit at his time of death. If she does take the child-in-care credit, your son will receive approximately 60% of his father’s benefit at the time of death. When you are married and have a child under the age of 16 you are eligible for a child-in-care benefit. She is eligible for one as they were married, so she has the option to take it.
You need to contact your local Social Security office and make an appointment, it will probably have to be over the phone as all the offices are still closed. You will have to present a certified copy of your child’s birth certificate. You have the option to mail it to your local SS office or to request an “Express Interview” to take it into the office. To obtain the phone number to your local office use the following link: https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government..
My mother in law is 77 years old. She doesn’t get much from SS. She just found out her ex husband passed. She was married to him for over 10yrs. She believes he did re-married but it lasted 1yr I believe. Can she apply for his Social security under survivor widow benefits? He received over 1,100.00 a month. I helped him once to get benefits. I would appreciate any information.
Also my mom is a widow in which she started getting her ex-husbands social security. I heard on the pod cast she could apply for 6 months of survival spouse benefit? She is on a fixed income so anything would help her. I’m just trying to find out information for them since they are not computer savy. I appreciate any information.
Georgina,
Yes, your mother-in-law is eligible to apply on his record if her own current Social Security benefit is lower. She can only apply over the phone as the Social Security offices are still closed. Use the following link to obtain the phone number to her local office: https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp
Social Security Office Locator, SSA Office Locator Social Security Office Locator, Social Security
Office-Search-and-Results. On Tuesday, March 17, 2020, we suspended face-to-face service to the public in our field offices and hearings offices nationwide until further notice.
secure.ssa.gov
She will need to supply a certified copy of her marriage license and divorce papers. If she no longer has access to his Social Security number, she will need to know his name, date of birth, his parents’ name, and where he was born. If she does not feel comfortable mailing her documentation through the mail, she may request an “Express Interview” with her local office to bring that paperwork to the office, where they will make copies and she can leave with the documents.
Yes, a surviving ex-spouse is eligible for up to six months of retroactive survivor benefits, which would be the difference between their own benefit and the survivor benefit. She should have received this when she applied for her survivor benefit if he had been deceased at least six months already, otherwise, they go back to the date of death if it is a shorter period.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government..
I have been disable since 2015.I just turn 50 and still disable.My husband died March 19 2019.I have applied for his Social Security.I was aprove Sept 7 2021.Will I get my back pay .I could really use the funds to catch up on bills.
Alyce,
As a general rule, retroactive Social Security benefits are paid only if the survivor has passed full retirement age (which in your case is age 67), and then only back to your full retirement age (FRA) or a maximum of six months. Otherwise, as seems to be your case, survivor benefits will start effective the month you applied for those benefits. Since you have just turned 50, your survivor benefit will be reduced by 28.5% from what your husband was receiving, or entitled to receive, at his death. Note that survivor benefits are normally not available until age 60, except for disabled survivors who can claim as early as age 50. So from what you’ve written, your survivor benefit will become effective with the month of September when you were approved and that is what they will pay you from. Since Social Security pays benefits “in arrears,” your first payment should be received in October, with the exact payment date depending on your husband’s day of birth. If your husband was born before the 11th of the month, your payment will be received on the 2nd Wednesday; if he was born between the 11th and the 20th of the month your payment will be received on the 3rd Wednesday; and if he was born after the 20th of the month you’ll get your payment on the 4th Wednesday.
If you have further questions, please email us at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org, or call us at 1.888.750.2622.
Russell Gloor
National Social Security Advisor
The AMAC Foundation
i had my phone hearing 3/22/2021.To get my husband ss who died 3/19/2019.I aproved 9/08/2021.I’m 50 and disable since 2015.How far will they go back if I get back pay.He was getting ss since Aug 2017.
Please also see my answer to your previous similar question. As a disabled survivor, you cannot get a widow’s benefit until you are at least 50 years old. So even though you applied in March (before you were 50) your benefits as a disabled widow cannot start until you are 50.
Russell Gloor
National Social Security Advisor
The AMAC Foundation
As a widow, will I automatically receive my husband’s Social Security benefit instead of my own smaller one?
Gail,
If you were already collecting a spousal benefit from your husband when he passed, Social Security will automatically switch you to a survivor benefit when they receive notification of his death (which is normally done by the Funeral Director who handled arrangements). If you were not already collecting a spouse benefit from your husband, and you are eligible for a benefit as his widow, you will need to contact Social Security at 1.800.772.1213 to apply for your survivor benefit. A Survivor benefit cannot be paid before age 60 (50 if you are disabled), and if claimed before you have reached your full retirement age (or FRA, which is between 66 and 67 depending on the year you were born) your benefit will be reduced by 4.75% for each full year earlier than your FRA (to a maximum of 28.5% reduction).
Russell Gloor
National Social Security Advisor
The AMAC Foundation
My husband passed away 18 yrs ago at the age of 48. I was 43. I am now 62 not married and still working. Can I draw his social security while still working? If possible I want to work (3) more years.
Sheila
You do have the option to start your survivor benefits at this time, but you will be subject to an earnings limit until you reach your full retirement age (FRA). The earnings limit for 2021 is $18,960 annually, and if you go over the limit Social Security (SS) will withhold $1 for every $2 you go over. There is also the monthly limit available for people that retire mid-year that have already gone over the annual limit. With the monthly limit, if your gross income is less than $1,580 per month, you will be eligible for all the payments in any months it was under (net income for self-employed). If you go over the $1,580 so much as by $1 SS will want the whole payment for that month back, then beginning in January of the next year you will only be subject to the annual limit. Beginning in the year you reach your FRA the earnings limit before the month you reach your FRA increases to $50.520 for 2021 or $4,210 per month. These limits tend to increase each year. Beginning in the month you reach your FRA the earnings limit ends.
If you decide to apply for your survivor benefit at this time it will be reduced according to your age, and it will be a permanent reduction. If your own retirement benefit will eventually be higher than your survivor benefit, you should restrict your application to your survivor benefit only, which will allow your own retirement benefit to grow up to the age of 70, if you choose, or for you to take it whenever it would be higher. If your survivor benefit will always be higher than your own retirement benefit, you also have the option to restrict your application to your own retirement benefit first, at a reduced rate, allowing your survivor benefit to grow until you reach your FRA and you would receive 100% of his benefit at his time of death, including all the cost of living increases since that time.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government..
My husband recently passed away at age 62 and was receiving SS Disability benefits. I am 60 and working and intend to work for an additional 4-7 years. I understand that if I collect my survivor benefits now (71.5% of his benefits) that they will be reduced if I make over $18960/yr (which I do). Suppose I retire at age 64 is it the case that these reduced benefits will be restored at that time to my survivor benefits (assuming I do not switch to my own retirement benefits)?
Lynne,
If you go over the earnings limit of $18,960, Social Security doesn’t actually reduce your benefits, they withhold your benefits until they are paid back. Social Security withholds $1 for every $2 you go over the earnings limit. They do that by withholding your payments and they do not do partial payments.
For example you earn $25,000, you would be over the limit by $6,040. This would mean you have to back $3,020 to Social Security. They will send you a letter in the mail telling you how you need to pay back. Option number one, would be to pay them back the entire amount. Option number two, would be to request a repayment plan and they would withhold that amount out of your payment each month. Social Security likes to be paid back within 12 months, and if you can afford that they will most likely except the payment plan right over the phone. Option number three, will be to let Social Security withhold your payments until they are paid back. Using the amount of $3.020 as the overpayment, and a monthly benefit of $1,250, Social Security would withhold three payments and you would have now overpaid them by $730. When Social Security gets proof of your income they will refund the overpayment of $730 to you.
When you reach your full retirement age (FRA) Social Security will recalculate your widow benefit (as long as you don’t switch to your own) and re-add all the monthly payments you lost as if you actually retired later. This means, if you had 12 monthly payments withheld, Social Security will recalculate your widow benefit as if you started it a year later than you actually did. If you switch to your own retirement benefit before your FRA, the payments are just lost completely. They will not recalculate your widow at age 64 if that is when you decide to retire, you will have to wait for your FRA for the adjustment.
The earnings limit usually increases each year but we do not have that information as of this time.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government..
my mother in law is 88 years old and has been receiving survivor benefit for years. She is experiencing dementia and angry with the her last name from deceased spouse and wants to change her name back to her previous name will this effect her receiving benefits
Wanda
No, changing her last name will not affect her receiving her survivor benefits but she will have to apply for a new Social Security card and submit the paperwork from changing her last name to Social Security. Reference the attached link: https://faq.ssa.gov/en-us/Topic/article/KA-01981
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government..
Will I receive my ex-husbands social security benefits now that his second wife is Dead? I am the first wife
Kimberly
The fact that your ex-husband had remarried never affected your eligibility for benefits on his record as long as you qualify for them.
To qualify for spousal benefits on your ex-husband’s Social Security record you had to be married to him for at least 10 years and currently single, or if your ex-husband is deceased and you didn’t remarry until after your 60th birthday, you will qualify for a survivor benefit if his benefit at his time of death is higher than your own benefit.
If your ex-spouse is still alive you might be eligible for a spousal benefit on his record as long as 100% of your full retirement benefit (FRA) benefit is less than 50% of his FRA benefit. If your ex-husband is deceased, and his benefit at the time of his death is higher than the amount of your own current benefit you would be eligible for a survivor benefit on his record. You will receive the highest benefit available to you, but not both.
You should contact your local Social Security office to find out if there are any benefits available to you based on his record. Do not ask for the amount of his benefit as Social Security is not allowed to give that information to you. You will need certified copies of your marriage and divorce papers to prove the length of your marriage. You may obtain the phone number to your local office using the following link: https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government..
What does the question “was he or she entitled to a monthly benefit on the same record as the deceased at the time of death?” mean?
Angeles
The phrase “on the same earnings record” does not necessarily mean the earnings record of the beneficiary. For example, a female beneficiary may not have had an earnings record, but have been entitled to monthly benefits on her husband’s earnings record. Thus, both parties are entitled on the same earnings record.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government..
my husband just recently passed at the age of 30, will I still be able to receive his social security for me and my children? and if so will there be a restriction on how much I can earn in a year to be able to receive those benefits?
Heavanlee
First, let me offer you my condolences on the loss of your husband. If your children are younger than 16 years old, you are eligible for a child-in-care benefit. You will be subject to an earnings limit which is currently $18,960 annually or $1,580 per month in 2021. This limit tends to increase each year. Your earnings are based on your gross earnings on your W-2 or your net earnings on self-employment. If you go over the earnings limit Social Security will reduce your benefits $1 for every $2 you go over. Your earnings will only affect your own benefit, not your children’s benefits.
The benefits you and your children will receive are subject to a family maximum, which could be a total of combined benefits up to 188% of the amount of your husband’s Social Security benefit at his time of death. It may not be beneficial for you to take a child-in-care benefit if it will not increase the amount of benefits you will receive as a family and you are still working and earning more than the earnings limit allows.
If you do take the child-in-care benefit, it will not affect any future benefits you are eligible for on your husband’s Social Security record, such as the widow benefit when you reach age 60 if you meet all the other requirements to receive it at that time.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government..
I am my husbands 2nd wife and when he died I was on disability and red’s a widows benefit. when his 1st wife died she was also getting a widows benefit on his record, can I claim that portion of the benefit
Carole
When someone has had more than one spouse, and they pass away, all eligible surviving spouses receive 100% of their benefit at the time of their death, regardless of how many there are. You are already receiving your maximum survivor benefit.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government..
Can a wife receive ss benefits after her husband dies even if she does not have a ss number
Frank
To qualify for Social Security benefits of any kind, you must be a legal immigrant and have a Social Security number. Unless she can obtain a Social Security number she will not qualify for Social Security survivor benefits on your record.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government..
If both my husband and I pass at the same time, will my social security be left to my children? They are spelled out in my will as the beneficiaries should anything heppen to my husband and/or I.
Kim
Social Security is a pay as you go system, you and your husband do not have individual accounts and if you should both pass at the same time your Social Security benefits would end, no one can inherit them, not even your children.
For your children to continue receiving your Social Security benefits beyond both your deaths, they would have to be 18 or younger (up to 19 if still in high school) or be a disabled adult child (have been deemed disabled by Social Security before the age of 22).
Sometimes when someone passes away, the last Social Security payment is returned to Social Security, as you have to be alive all month to be eligible for the payment. But, the payment you receive in the month of your death is actually for the month before as Social Security pays a month behind. Your estate will have to claim that payment back if you have no eligible dependents to receive benefits on your record. They will have to file a form SSA-1724, Claim for Amounts Due in the Case of Deceased Beneficiary: https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ssa-1724.html
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government..
My husband passed away at age 53, never collected SS. I am 56 and have never collected as well. I am leaning towards taking his survivor benefit at age 60 (reduced) and let mine grow till im 70. Thoughts?
Wayne
When to start your Social Security benefits is a personal decision only you can make, but as a surviving spouse, you do have some important decisions to make pertaining to when and which benefit you should take first.
If you decide to start your survivor benefit at age 60 you will only receive 71.5% of your deceased husband’s benefit at that time and it will be a permanent reduction. You will also be subject to an earnings limit. The current earnings limit for 2021 is $18,960 annually, and if you go over that limit Social Security will withhold $1 for every $2 you go over. The annual limit does tend to increase each year, so it will most likely be higher when you reach the age of 60.
If your benefit will be higher at age 70 than your survivor benefit will be, and you do not apply until age 62 or later, you will need to restrict your application to your survivor benefit only while allowing your own retirement benefit to grow up until age 70, or until any time it becomes higher (or vice versa if your survivor benefit will be the highest). Your survivor benefit will quit growing at your full retirement (FRA) of 67 and your own retirement benefit at age 70, so do not delay either benefit beyond those ages.
I recommend you know the amount of both benefits before you make your final decision to apply for either benefit. This will ensure you will be able to receive the maximum benefits available to you. Also, if you want to continue to work the earnings limit will not end until you reach your FRA, so it is very important to take your earnings into consideration also. The earnings limit does go up substantially in the year you will reach your FRA, for 2021 it is $50.520.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government..
My husband was 52 year old veteran and just passed away, can I claim widows social security benefits
Carrie,
Please accept our condolences on your loss. Survivor (widow’s) benefits are available if you are at least 60 years old, or if you are disabled and at least age 50. Note that taking your survivor benefit before you reach your own full retirement age will mean your benefit will be less – as much as 28.5% less if claimed at 60 or under. If you are now, or when you become, age-eligible, you can apply for your survivor benefit by contacting Social Security at 1.800.772.1213 (or by calling your local SS office). However, if you are caring for your husband’s minor child under the age of 16 you can get a full survivor benefit at any age (as can a surviving minor child under 16).
If you are working, you must be aware of Social Security’s earnings limit for anyone who collects SS benefits before their full retirement age (FRA). The earnings limit could reduce (or even eliminate) any survivor benefits you are entitled to, until you reach your FRA (there is no earnings limit after you reach FRA). Please feel free to contact us directly if you need any further guidance on your survivor benefit. We can be reached at 1.888.750.2622 during normal EDT business hours, or via email at ssadvisor@amacfoundation.org.
Russell Gloor
National Social Security Advisor
The AMAC Foundation
I am receiving ss benefits through electronic direct deposit. Will my wife get my benefits after i die
Frank,
If your wife is getting a spousal benefit from you when you die, she will automatically get her survivor benefit, if she is eligible, when SS is notified of your death (normally done by Funeral Director). To be eligible, your wife’s own SS benefit must be less than the benefit you are receiving when you die – she gets the higher of the two benefits, her own or her survivor benefit, whichever is more.
If your wife isn’t getting a spousal benefit from you at that time, she will need to contact Social Security to apply for her survivor benefit.
To be eligible for a survivor benefit, your wife must be at least 60 years old (or 50 if disabled). Her survivor benefit reaches maximum at her full retirement age (FRA), and if she claims it before then it will be reduced, by as much as 28.% if claimed at age 60.
If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us directly at 1.888.750.2622, or via email at ssadvisor@amacfoundation.org.
Russell Gloor
National Social Security Advisor
The AMAC Foundation
How do I apply to receive the $225.00 amount after my husband passed away? He died on Sept 26, 2021.
Clarice,
We’re very sorry to hear of your loss. To apply for the $255 death benefit you will need to contact Social Security directly at either the national center (1.800.772.1213) or by calling your local Social Security office (find the number at http://www.ssa.gov/locator). You may need to provide a copy of your husband’s death certificate if they don’t already have that on file (the Funeral Director should have provided it to SS).
Russell Gloor
National Social Security Advisor
The AMAC Foundation
Will my wife receive my ss benefits after i die
How do I claim my husband’s social security check if I am not currently living in the US. how should I apply and what type of visa should I get if I am not a US citizen
Mariela
Social Security requires you to meet additional residency requirements as a survivor. You will have to show proof that you lived in the United States for at least five years. During those five years, you must have been in the family relationship on which Social Security will base your benefits on, meaning your husband. If your husband died during U.S. military service or as a result of a service-connected disease or injury, this requirement does not apply.
If you meet this additional residency requirement or the service-connected exception use the following link to contact the Social Security/U.S. Embassy in your country: https://www.ssa.gov/foreign/foreign.htm
You will need proof of your minimum five-year residency in the United States with your husband, along with your marriage license and his death certificate.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government..
My husband passed in June I just got a letter saying I will get Widow benefits a family member said I should get money from the month my husband passed to November 3 when I get these benefits is that right
Karen,
First, let me offer you my condolences on the loss of your husband. The only way that widow’s benefits can be paid for months prior to the month in which the application for widow’s benefits is filed is if the monthly benefit rate would not be reduced for age if retroactivity is applied. In those cases, the widow can potentially be paid up to 6 months retroactively As your husband passed away in June and if you applied in June for your survivor benefit and if you were at least 60 (50 if disabled) Social Security will pay you for all those months, June through October. If you are under your full retirement age (FRA) Social Security will only pay you retroactive benefits up to the month you applied. For example, if you are only 62 and didn’t apply until August, Social Security will only pay you retroactive benefits for August through October. Social Security pays a month behind, so the payment you receive in November will not include your November payment.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government..
I understand that SS survivor benefit will be permanently reduced, if taken before the surviving spouse’s FRA. Does this reduction affect my own benefits when I switch over or do my benefits continue to increase?
Dana
If you have not yet started taking your own retirement benefits, and you are 62 or older, you need to restrict your application to your survivor benefit only. This will allow your own retirement benefit to continue to grow up to the age of 70, or whenever it becomes higher than your reduced survivor benefit.
When making your decision you should look at the amount of both benefits available to you. Your survivor benefit will quit growing when you reach your full retirement age (FRA) and your own retirement benefit can grow to the age of 70. You are allowed to take either benefit first, and if you haven’t reached your FRA it will be reduced and it will be a permanent reduction. If you have not reached your FRA yet, restrict your application to the benefit you want to take first.
Until you reach your FRA you will be subject to an earnings limit. If you are still working, the earnings limit for 2021 is $18,960 and will be $19,560 for 2022. If you go over the earnings limit Social Security will withhold $1 for every $2 you go over. The year you reach your FRA, such as in 2022, the earnings limit increases to $51,960, which you can earn before the month you reach your FRA and the earnings limit ends. These limits tend to go up each year.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government..
I have not received my husbands death benefit. He passed away on November 8th of 2020 from covid. The funeral service said they sent out a request however I did not get it. I tried calling and no one picks up the phone. How do I get this benefit?
Lilly Mae
First, let me off my condolences on the loss of your husband. The funeral home sends a copy of the death certificate to Social Security, but you must apply for the benefit. The following link contains the form you need to complete and submit to your local Social Security office. https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ssa-8.pdf
APPLICATION FOR LUMP-SUM DEATH PAYMENT
Form SSA-8 (01-2020) UF Discontinue Prior Editions. Social Security Administration Page 1 of 4. OMB No. 0960-0013. APPLICATION FOR LUMP-SUM DEATH PAYMENT* I apply for all insurance benefits for which I am eligible under Title II (Federal Old-Age,
http://www.ssa.gov
If you are trying to contact the general 800 number, 800-772-1213. it can be very hard to get through to unless you call at 8 a.m. in the morning. You can obtain the number to your local Social Security office by using the following link: https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp The best time to try to contact your local office is at 9 a.m. when they open, usually, Tuesday and Thursday are the easiest days to get through.
Social Security offices are still closed but they are taking phone calls. If you cannot get through to your local office, contact another office in your area, you are allowed to contact any Social Security office in the United States, but there is paperwork you are going to have to submit.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government..
My mother is 79 and my father passed in March. Both were receiving social security. Her benefit was more than his. She still receives her amount but does not receive his. She really needs his benefit to cover her rent and other monthly expenses. Can she receive some sort of survivors benefits along with her social security?
Elizabeth
First, let me offer my condolences on the loss of your father. The survivor spouse only gets to keep the highest of the two Social Security benefits available to them. As your mother’s benefit is higher than your father’s benefit, she is only eligible to receive the $255 lump-sum death benefit, she is not eligible to receive any of his Social Security benefits.
She may want to check with her state to see if she qualifies for any additional assistance. She can also contact her local Social Security office if she is having trouble paying for her prescriptions and apply for Extra Help: https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ssa-1020b-ocr-sm-inst.pdf You can locate the number to her local Social Security office by using the following link: https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government..
Hi, my husband was a permanent resident in the USA but a German citizen. He traveled to Germany for work where he passed away at age 50. He never had the chance to contribute to SS here in the USA. I’m now getting his survivor benefit from Germany. This survivor benefit is being taxed as foreign income. Is this correct ? Due to this I owed a ton on taxes. Help.
Susanne
The AMAC Foundation does not have tax advisors on staff, we are Social Security Advisors and we can not advise you on the taxation of German benefits, only US benefits. I recommend you speak with your tax advisor about this situation.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
Why does it matter if you remarry before you turn 60 that keeps you from drawing from your deceased husband who I was married o for 34 years when he died .
I get widow benefit from social security on 3rd for 13 yrs will that change?
Enda,
As you have been on your widow benefit for 13 years, I am presuming you are beyond age 70, and you are receiving your highest benefit. If this is the case your payment date will not change.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government..
My husband died in September 2019. I am a dual citizen – have been living in the USA for over 25 years. I am planning to move back to my home country. Will I be still eligible to receive survival benefits after him when I turn 60/62, even if I will not be residing in the USA?
Letti,
You do not mention what your home country is. If you are a U.S. citizen, you may continue to receive payments outside the United States as long as you are eligible for payment and you are in a country where Social Security can send payments. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you must meet certain conditions to continue receiving benefits outside the United States. You must also remain eligible for benefits and live in a country where Social Security can send payments. Please use the following link to confirm you will be able to receive your survivor benefits in your home country. https://www.un.org/other/afics/sites/www.un.org.other.afics/files/usr-pdf-ssa_-
_your_ssa_payments_while_outside_the_us_pamphlet.pdf
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government..
How do I apply for death benefits for my wife who recently passed
William
First, let me offer my condolences on the loss of your wife. As all the Social Security offices are still currently closed your only option for applying for death benefits on your wife’s record is over the phone. Use the following link to obtain the phone number for your local office: https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
I would like to no how to file a new claim for social security and stop getting my widow benfits and put my new married last name i’m 69 going on 70 next yr in april could i do it on line or do i have to do it in person
Nancy
If you legally change your name because of marriage, divorce, court order, or any other reason, you must tell Social Security so you can get a corrected card.
To get a corrected Social Security card, you will need to:
Show the required documents. You will need proof of your identity.
f you are a U.S. Citizen, applying for a replacement SSN card, and choose to mail your application to your local office, you may use original or certified copies of secondary proofs of identity such as:
A marriage document showing your name and either date of birth or age (only when submitted to support the application for a name change)
A U.S. government employee identification card.
A non-government employee identity card/badge card showing your name and either a photograph or your date of birth.
A health insurance card or U.S. Medicaid card showing your name and one of the following:
Date of birth.
A photograph.
A school identity card
A school-record or transcript (for the current school year) showing your name and one of the following:
Date of birth.
A photograph.
A life insurance policy showing your name and age or date of birth.
NOTE: U.S. Citizens applying for a replacement SSN card are not required to submit original primary evidence (e.g. driver’s license, state ID, U.S. passport), for mailed applications.
Fill out and print an Application for a Social Security Card.
Contact your local Social Security office or your local Social Security Card Center to find out your submission options.
For complete instructions, please go to our Social Security Number and Card page.
For more information, read our pamphlet, Your Social Security Number and Card.
Once you have made the name change will be able to apply online to switch to your own retirement benefit. Social Security offices are now making appointments for people to bring in their official documents versus having to mail them. The appointment is so they can make all their necessary copies and you can leave with your original documents. If you are interested in making an appointment with your local office to take in any required documentation you may local the phone number to your local office by using the following link: https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government..
I’m damned if I do and damned if I don’t. I only receive $1091 a month benefits. And I only receive $175 in SNAP (Florida food stamps). I have to pay mortgage, electric, water, phone, car insurance, not including gas, etc. toiletries, etc. Are there any other alternatives I can yap into?
Nery:
Here are some information sources that may be helpful for you:
https://www.greatseniorliving.com/articles/help-for-seniors
https://www.needhelppayingbills.com/html/senior_assistance_programs.html
https://www.newretirement.com/retirement/help-for-seniors-with-low-income-government-benefits-and-more/
https://lowincomerelief.com/help-for-senior-citizens/
https://www.senior-meals.org/Senior-Food-Assistance-Programs
Copy and paste each of them into a browser on your computer, and you’ll find a number of services aimed at helping folks with situations like yours.
We wish you well in your search for assistance.
Gerry Hafer
AMAC Foundation, Inc.
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government..
The father of my children passed away and my children are young. I an currently receiving the death benefits in lieu of my children because they are not 18. If i get married does his death benefits stop?
Danielle
The benefits your children are receiving on their deceased father’s Social Security record will continue if you get remarried. If you are by any chance receiving a child-in-care benefit for yourself, as you still have children under age 16, your benefit will stop if you get remarried. However, if you have at least two children receiving benefits, the amount you lose will be recalculated into the family maximum. For example, you have two children, the family maximum was divided between the 3 of you as you were receiving a child-in-care benefit, your benefit would stop, and the children would each reach 75% of your deceased husband’s benefit. When the oldest child ages out, the younger child will continue to receive 75% until they also age out of benefits.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government..
Ok
my friend wants to marry me so he can leave me his social security benefits,but,he is not doing well as he has heart failure and alot of medical issues.But,these are his final wishes and i’d like to honour that for him before its too much later and he passes.his children approve as it was his idea and they adore me as i them.my question is:how long does it take to get benefits once hes passed on.He currently isnt doing that well so this has to happen before he goes on in the next life…how much are marriage licenses?and how do i go about this?
My ex-husband who recently passed allowed his life insurance policy lapse for non-payment of premium. Hence my children had to pay out of pocket to bury him. As his former wife of 30+ years, am I eligible for a funeral benefit that I would like to pass on to my children?
Linda
There is no burial benefit available from Social Security. There is a one-time lump-sum death benefit of $255, but that is only available to a current spouse or dependent children at the time of death.
As you were married 30+ years, if his Social Security benefit at the time of his death is higher than your own Social Security benefit, and you are currently single or didn’t remarry until after your 60th birthday, you are eligible for his higher benefit. If you have reached your full retirement age (FRA) you are eligible for 100% of his higher benefit and your own smaller benefit will stop. If your own Social Security benefit is larger than his, you are not eligible for any benefits on his record.
Survivor benefits can only be applied for over the phone at this time as all the Social Security offices remain closed. Please use the following link to obtain the phone number for your local Social Security office: https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government..
I have a local goverment supported pension and as such loose 2/3 of my SS retirement benefits. My wife of 45 years just died. Will I get her SS benefits because she receives much more than I do.
MJ
First, let me offer my condolences on the loss of your wife. Apparently, you have a pension from a government position that didn’t pay into the Social Security system. Therefore, you are affected by the Government Pension Offset (GPO) on any survivor benefit you are eligible for on your deceased wife’s Social Security benefit.
Social Security will take your gross pension (before any deductions for health insurance, etc.) and multiply it times 2/3 (.667). They will then take that total and subtract it from the amount of your wife’s Social Security benefit. If there is an amount left over, that is the amount you would be eligible for, which could actually result in a smaller amount than what you receive on your own record. The GPO can actually zero out your survivor benefit.
If her benefit amount after the GPO reduction is higher than the amount you are currently receiving, you would then be eligible for a survivor benefit on her record and your own smaller benefit would stop.
Whether or not you are eligible for a survivor benefit, you still need to contact your local Social Security office to apply for the one-time lump-sum death benefit of $255. Use the following link to obtain the phone number to your local office: https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
As a new young widow, age 47, I find myself appalled at the lack of government assistance for young widows like myself. Not being able to have resources available during these traumatic times in our lives, one we didn’t cause or ask for. I have met many women in their 30’s and 40’s, young widows that have had to sell their houses, move into poverty neighborhoods, and then stuck in low income jobs since there are no government programs or assistance. I was told and read that pell grants were available since I am having to get my masters to be able to support myself, yet I had to submit my 2019 taxes and no questions were asked if my income had drastically been reduced. On government websites, it says that churches help or some organizations yet they have little to no funds. Why would our government offer no assistance to women, when they live so much longer than men and not aid in their betterment during their most traumatic time of their lives?!
Nicole
First, let me offer you my condolences on the loss of your husband. I can only imagine what you are dealing with at this time in your life. Social Security was created as a retirement fund to help keep seniors out of poverty when they are no longer able to work. It was expanded and survivor benefits were added to help protect surviving dependents in a situation such as yours. If you have any children still under 18 (or under 19 if still in high school) they are eligible for survivor benefits on your deceased husband’s record. Also if you have a child(ren) under age 16 you are eligible for a child-in-care benefit until they turn 16, however, the child-in-care benefit is subject to an earnings limit. The earnings limit for 2022 is $19,560 and Social Security would withhold $1 for every $2 you go over. Your earnings will not affect the children’s benefits. You will become eligible for a survivor benefit as a widow when you turn 60 years old and you would at that time receive 71.5% of your husband’s Social Security benefit at his time of death. It will also still be subject to an earnings limit until you reach your full retirement age (FRA). The reduction you would take at that time would be a permanent reduction. To receive 100% of your husband’s Social Security benefit you would have to wait until your FRA to take it.
Social Security however does not make any allowances for young widow(er)s without children, unless a widow(er) is at least 50 and disabled.
While I understand your frustration about the lack of resources available to assist you in your time of need, I can only make you aware of what is available to you through Social Security at this time. If there are any other resources available to you at this time it would depend on the state you live in.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
If my husband applies for social security benefits at his full retirement age and I apply for spousal benefits at the same time (which would be before my full retirement age) how would that affect my survivor benefits if he were to die before I reached full retirement age? Would the amount of my survival benefits be based on when he took social security or when I did? And if it is based on when he takes his benefits, is there a way to not have the benefits automatically switched from spousal to survivor if I want to wait until FRA?
Lynn
Your survivor benefit will be the amount of your husband’s benefit at his time of death based on when he takes his benefit. If you take your spousal benefits early it will not affect the amount of your survivor benefit, the only thing that would affect the amount of your survivor benefit is your age. If your husband should pass before you reach your full retirement age (FRA) you will not be automatically switched from your spousal benefit to your survivor benefit. Your spousal benefit would, however, stop upon your husband’s death. If you were to decide you wanted to take your survivor benefit at a reduced rate at that time you would have to actually apply for it. You would need to file SSA-4111: https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ssa-4111.pdf
Your spousal benefit will only be switched automatically to your survivor benefit if you have already reached your FRA at the time of your husband’s death. However, I recommend you contact your local Social Security office at that time to confirm your survivor benefit is being processed.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
Un
I was married to my husband for 20 years , divorced for,13 years .y ex just passed away. I am now disable and filed for SS disability and was told I am entitled to benefits as I was married more then 10 years . Is this correcrband what am I’m filing, that is which form
Parvin,
Yes, if you were married to your deceased ex-husband for at least 10 years you are eligible for a survivor benefit from him as his ex-spouse. Normally, the survivor benefit is available starting at age 60, but if you are on SS disability you can get your survivor benefit as early as age 50. The survivor benefit amount, however, will be reduced. Any time any Social Security benefit is taken before full retirement age (FRA) it is reduced, and a survivor benefit taken at age 60 (or under) will be cut by 28.5% (and that is a permanent reduction). If you haven’t yet reached your full retirement age, you will need to file SSA Form 4111 (a Certificate of Election for Reduced Survivor benefits) with Social Security. You can access that form at this link: https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ssa-4111.pdf. Please note that your SS disability (SSDI) application is different from your survivor benefit application. Your SSDI application will provide benefits based upon your own lifetime work record, whereas your Survivor benefit is based upon your husband’s record. If you wish to maximize your survivor benefit from your ex-husband, you must wait until you reach your FRA to claim the survivor benefit. Note that the rules vary depending on your age, and the above assumes your haven’t yet reached your full retirement age. If you have, you cannot get SSDI, but you can get 100% of your survivor benefit (survivor benefits reach maximum at your full retirement age).
Russell Gloor
National Social Security Advisor
The AMAC Foundation
My niece father passed & her mother is 43 yrs old. They were married over 25 yrs. What all kind of benefits is she entitled to?
April,
Unless your niece is under the age of 18 (or 19 if still in high school), or a disabled adult child whose disability started before age 22, your niece isn’t entitled to any survivor benefits from her father. At 43 years old, her mother is only entitled to a survivor benefit from her deceased husband if she is caring for the deceased’s minor child under the age of 16. Otherwise, the deceased’s wife isn’t entitled to a survivor benefit from her husband until she is at least 60 years old (or 50 if she is disabled). If the mother remarries prior to age 60, she will lose her entitlement to a survivor benefit from her deceased husband.
I hope this answers your question, but feel free to contact us directly at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org if you have further questions.
Russell Gloor
National Social Security Advisor
The AMAC Foundation
My husband of 20 years, died at age 45. I was 43 at the time. I’ve not remarried. I am now 62 and considering retiring. My benefits are very low, my late husband’s benefits are much higher. When I asked SSA I could take my benefits at the reduced level to allow my late husbands to reach maturity and then claim his at my full retirement age, I was told that I would have to the higher payment now- which would be his. Is that correct?
Marcy,
No, assuming you are not already receiving SS benefits on your own, that is not correct. At age 62, you have the option to claim only your personal SS retirement benefit, or only your survivor benefit from your husband, and you can allow the benefit you don’t take to continue to grow to maximum. So, if you wish to take your smaller personal SS retirement benefit first and permit your survivor benefit from your husband to grow to maximum at your full retirement age, you can do so (indeed, that is an excellent strategy). If you wish to claim only your own SS retirement benefit and not yet claim your survivor benefit from your husband, I suggest you contact Social Security again and request that. If you are told you cannot, then ask to speak to a supervisor. Note that the key to be able to do this is that you aren’t already collecting SS benefits; if you are already collecting SS benefits of any kind, the rules are different.
Russell Gloor
National Social Security Advisor
The AMAC Foundation
My husband and I was married for 23 yrs. During the last 14 yrs of our marriage he travel on alone consistently from state to state. He settle in Texas and passed away at 65. I found out he married another woman in Texas and she’s listed as the wife on his death certificate. My husband and I never divorced nor applied for a legal separation and stayed in touch throughout our 23yrs of married until his death. Does the fact he was married another woman for 15 yrs during our marriage, cause a problem when I apply for Survivors Benefits?
Nolita
If you are the legal widow (i.e. validly married and never divorced), then your right to widow’s benefits on your husband’s record would supersede those of his subsequent “wife.” If she got married in good faith (didn’t know he was married) she may also qualify for benefits based on his Social Security record, by what Social Security refers to as a “deemed” marriage. However, her entitlement would not affect your entitlement to widow benefits or the payment amount of your widow benefits.
If you have reached your full retirement age (FRA) you are eligible for 100% of his benefits at the time of his death. You will need to provide a certified copy of your marriage certificate. Please call your local Social Security office to make an appointment to apply for your survivor benefits: https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp
Social Security Office Locator, SSA Office Locator Social Security Office Locator, Social Security
Office-Search-and-Results. On Tuesday, March 17, 2020, we suspended face-to-face service to the public in our field offices and hearings offices nationwide until further notice.
secure.ssa.gov
The fact that the other woman’s name is on the death certificate as his wife may cause a delay in the processing of your survivor benefits, as Social Security will most likely want to validate your marital status at his time of death. Should this happen, the date you call and make an appointment to apply for your survivor benefit is considered your protective filing date, and regardless of how long it takes to process your application, when it is finalized you will receive all the payments. Yours is an unusual case as this situation doesn’t occur very often, at least not to my knowledge.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
I have a letter from the social security administration that states: “The information above shows your monthly benefit amount before and after deductions. Please remember, WE WILL PAY YOU IN THE MONTH FOLLOWING THE MONTH FOR WHICH IT IS DUE.” How then can the SSA take back a payment for the month of a spouses death? If the payment is for the previous month then it should stand. Right?
Patricia
First, let me offer you my condolences on the loss of your spouse. You are correct, you are entitled to the payment received in your spouse’s month of death as it was for the prior month, and your spouse was alive the entire month.
What happens when someone dies the funeral home notifies Social Security, and the death is entered in a master file. When the bank is notified they return the payment to Social Security. It is not your bank’s fault they are obligated to return those payments.
You need to file form SSA-1724, Claim for Amounts Due in the Case of Deceased Beneficiary: https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ssa-1724.pdf
A Social Security payment due to a deceased beneficiary may be paid to a family member or a legal representative of the estate in the following order:
1. The surviving spouse who was either living in the same household as the deceased at the time of death or who, for the month of death, was entitled to a monthly benefit on the same record as the deceased;
2. Children who, for the month of death, were entitled to a monthly benefit on the same record as the deceased;
3. Parents who, for the month of death, were entitled to a monthly benefit on the same record as the deceased;
4. A surviving spouse not qualified under 1. above;
5. Children not qualified under 2. above;
6. Parents not qualified under 3. above; or
7. The legal representative of the deceased person’s estate.
Please contact us if you have any further questions.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
If I am receiving widow’s benefits, can I have taxes taken out of social security? I am not sure because I draw on my deceased husband’s record. If it is not your record I think they won’t let you do anything not even have an online account.
Sara
You cannot request that taxes be withheld from any type of Social Security benefits online. You must complete an IRS form W4-V and submit it to your local Social Security office. I have attached the link to the W4-V for you to complete and submit: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw4v.pdf
If you are going to mail this form to your local Security Office, I recommend you send it certified signed receipt so you know they received it. You may obtain the mailing address to your local Social Security office by using the following link: https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp
You are not required to have taxes withheld from your Social Security benefits, it is optional. You also have the option to pay the taxes due on your benefits when you file your regular tax return or make your estimated payments.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
Hello, need a little help – My spouse was married first time for over 10 years and I’ve now been married to him for over 30 years. He is the higher wage earner and likely to die before me. We don’t know the age of remarriage for his ex-wife but believe she was just shy of 60. Should she have been 60 I understand she will receive his benefit (if she applies) and I will not then receive his benefit – is that right? Upon her death (1st wife), would I then be entitled to his benefit? Lastly, does SS typically inform first wife of her ex’s death?
Nanette,
No, Social Security does not notify anyone of a beneficiary’s death. And you can rest assured that if your husband predeceases you, that you will get your full survivor benefit as his widow, regardless of his first wife’s eligibility for benefits from him also. If your husband dies before you, simply contact Social Security and say you wish to apply for your survivor benefit. Just be aware that if you haven’t yet reached own your full retirement age (FRA) and you claim your widow’s benefit at that time, it will be actuarially reduced according to the number of months prior to your FRA it is claimed. If you haven’t yet reached your FRA, you would also have the option of delaying until your FRA to claim the full benefit, which would be 100% of the amount he was receiving at this death.
Russell Gloor
National Social Security Advisor
The AMAC Foundation
To whom it may concern I’m responding on my mom’s behalf my father died in 2001 and he had a pension through his work also paid ss through his working career I’m just looking for some assistance to help her with this matter thank you in advance for your help
Michael,
I cannot assist you with information about your mother’s entitlement to your father’s pension from his employment, but will be happy to assist you with understanding your mother’s Social Security survivor’s benefit. Much depends on your mother’s age, but here is a brief synopsis of eligibility for your mother to collect a survivor benefit as your father’s widow:
1. Your father must have earned eligibility for his own Social Security benefits (if he worked for at least 10 years in a job which contributed to Social Security he would have been eligible). He need not have been collecting Social Security, only have earned at least 40 quarters of credit contributing to the program.
2. Your mother must be at least 60 years old to collect a Social Security survivor benefit, but claimed at age 60 her SS survivor benefit will be reduced by 28.5%. Survivor benefit reaches maximum – 100% of the amount your father was receiving or eligible to receive at his death – when your mother reaches her full retirement age (FRA). Taken before her FRA, your mother’s survivor benefit will be reduced.
3. Your mother’s full retirement age depends on her year of birth. If she was born between 1943 and 1954, her FRA is 66; if she was born in 1960 or later her FRA is 67; and if she was born between 1955 and 1959 her FRA is 66 plus 2 months for each year after 1954.
4. Your mother will need to contact Social Security directly to apply for her SS survivor benefit and provide a copy of your father’s death certificate and his Social Security Number. She may also be required to provide a copy of their marriage certificate and other proof of identity (SS will advise her when she calls what documentation they will require). To apply, your mother should call her local SS office (find it at http://www.ssa.gov/locator) or the general number at 1.800.772.1213.
Michael, these are the basic qualifications, but if you require more information please contact us again via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org, or call us directly at 1.888.750.2622 during normal EST business hours.
Russell Gloor
National Social Security Advisor
The AMAC Foundation
Sorry for the long post but I think I received bad advice a year ago and am losing out on my Survivor Benefit. I can’t get thru to Soc Sec on the phone and when I ultimately do will not trust whatever answer they give me entirely, so if you can be so kind to answer my inquiry it would be greatly appreciated. My Husband passed March 2021. I was 66 and 4 months at his passing so full FRA. I am now of course 67. He was older (78) and took SS at age 62 and was getting $1,880 a month at passing. If I delay taking my Benefit until age 70 it is estimated to be $3,400. Can I apply for the Survivor Benefit and receive roughly the $1,880 he was getting and later at age 70 Switch and take MY Retirement Benefit and most importantly by doing so NOT adversely impact what the dollar amount of my future Benefit would be? In other words get his $1,880 now and at 70 switch and get my $3,400 for the rest of my life? If I can – is will my benefit be retroactive such that I receive it as if I applied last March or have I lost out on that $20K? Is there a way to appeal since I could not meet with anyone last yr due to covid and had covid myself badly?
Ann,
Assuming that you are eligible for but not yet collecting your personal SS retirement benefit, you are entitled to claim ONLY your survivor benefit from your husband first and allow your personal SS retirement benefit to grow to age 70. And collecting the survivor benefit only first would not affect the amount of your personal SS retirement benefit when claimed at age 70, giving you the higher benefit for the rest of your life. Since you have passed your full retirement age, you can get up to six months of retroactive survivor benefits, but you won’t be able to get benefits retroactive to March 2021 when your husband died. SS will only pay a maximum of six months retroactively, except in very extenuating circumstances. Your COVID issues last year would not be considered as an extenuating circumstance, because you could have applied for your survivor benefit over the telephone by simply calling Social Security. To apply for your survivor benefit only now, you should call Social Security – either at your local SS office or the national number (1.800.772.1213) and make an appointment to apply for your survivor benefit ONLY (be very specific that you are applying only for your survivor benefit and ARE NOT applying for your SS retirement benefit). Doing this will enable you to collect the $1800 amount until you reach age 70, at which time you can switch to your personal SS retirement benefit of $3400 for the rest of your life.
Russell Gloor
National Social Security Advisor
The AMAC Foundation
my ex husband has passed and his ss check was more than mine, can I draw the difference?
Judy
As long as you were married at least 10 years, are currently single or didn’t remarry until after your 60th birthday, and have reached your full retirement age (FRA), you can receive 100% of your ex-husband’s benefit at his time of death and your own smaller benefit will stop. If you have not yet reached your FRA, you can take your survivor benefit early, but it will be reduced and it will be a permanent reduction.
You have to contact your local Social Security office to make an appointment to apply for your survivor benefit. If your divorce papers show your date of marriage, you will not need your marriage license. Social Security accepts only certified copies of your documents. If you no longer know his Social Security number, you will need to give Social Security his name, date of birth, the name of his parents, and where he was born.
You may contact your local Social Security office by using the following link to obtain the phone number: https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
how do i apply for survivor benefits
Giancarlo,
You need to contact your local Social Security office to apply. You may use the following link to obtain the phone number to call and make an appointment: https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
My wife, who recently died at age 74 of cancer, waited until 70 to start taking SS retirement benefits. I’m 78 and because I took my benefits at 62 my wile’s SS benefit was larger than mine. I’ve been told at the SS office that any survivor benefits I receive will be based on the benefit she would have received at full retirement age (66) rather than the higher amount she was actually receiving when she died. However, I’ve recently read that the surviving spouse is entitled to receive 100% of the amount the deceased spouse was receiving at the time of death. Please clarify what is the truth, but be specific. Don’t simply say that I should receive what she was receiving at the time of her death, but be clear that my surviving benefit will be based on the higher amount she started receiving at age 70 and not what it would have been at age 66, if that is the case. I know this sounds picky but some of the info I’ve read about this is somewhat vague. Thank you for your help in clarifying this matter.
Larry
First, let me offer my condolences on the loss of your wife. You were told incorrectly by the person you spoke with at Social Security. As you are beyond your full retirement age (FRA) and your wife’s Social Security benefit is higher than your own, you are eligible for 100% of the amount of her benefit including the delayed retirement credits (DRCs) she earned by delaying taking her benefit until age 70.
(e) What is the effect of my delayed retirement credits on the benefit amount of others entitled on my earnings record?—(1) Surviving spouse or surviving divorced spouse. If you earn delayed retirement credits during your lifetime, we will compute benefits for your surviving spouse or surviving divorced spouse based on your regular primary insurance amount plus the amount of those delayed retirement credits. All delayed retirement credits, including any earned during the year of death, can be used in computing the benefit amount for your surviving spouse or surviving divorced spouse beginning with the month of your death. We compute delayed retirement credits up to but not including the month of death. https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/cfr20/404/404-0313.htm
Code of Federal Regulations § 404.313
What are delayed retirement credits and how do they increase my old-age benefit amount?
http://www.ssa.gov
The surviving spouse is eligible for the highest of the two benefits available to them. In your case, you are eligible for 100% of the amount of your wife’s benefit at her death, including all the delayed retirement credits she earned, and your own smaller benefit will stop. If you should receive less than the amount your wife was receiving at her time of death (before Medicare deductions) you should notify Social Security immediately that the amount of your survivor benefit is incorrect. You can appeal the amount of the payment by using form SSA-561: https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ssa-561-u2.pdf
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
My ex husband died at FRA in January 27,2022. He filed for SS and was entitled was to receive his 1st SS check for January 2022 in February 2022 and of course it was not deposited into his account as the SS office was contacted of his death and withheld it. We were married for 26 years and have 2 children together over the age of 26. I also was a stay at home mom and my work earnings are much less than his. I am not currently working but I was receiving Alimony, which of course I am no longer receiving. I am not at FRA until another 3 years. I understand that I can file for survivors benefits and receive monthly SS under his earnings at a reduced rate according to my current age when filing. My questions are;
1). Can I file now, before my FRA and receive an amount based on my current age which will be less than 100% of MY SS under my own earnings record, and than at a my FRA re-file and receive 100% of my ex husbands SS or will I receive less than 100% of it since I started collecting mine before FRA?
2). Do I or my children receive the $255 death benefit and the SS check (or partial) from January 2022 that was not deposited into my ex husband’s account in February?
Thank you for your help!
schemm
In response to your first question, the answer is yes. If your own Social Security benefit will never be higher than your ex-husband’s, even if you wait until the age of 70 to take it, you can restrict your application to your own retirement benefit only, and take your benefit at a reduced rate. Then when you reach your full retirement age (FRA) you can apply for your survivor benefit and receive 100% of his benefit at his time of death plus any cost of living increases since that time.
As the payment your ex-husband was to receive in February was for January, the month of his death, no one is eligible to receive that payment. He would have had to live the entire month of January for his estate to be entitled to the January benefit. As far as the $255 death benefit, only a current spouse or dependent children are eligible to receive it.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
My ex husband died we where married 17years I believe there’s a pension with my name on it and need to find out need help going about it
Jacqueline
We do not have any information to assist you in locating a pension. If you are seeking information on how to obtain a survivor benefit based on your ex-husband’s Social Security record, you need to contact your local Social Security office. Use the following link to obtain the phone number for your local office: https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
I am turning 63 in august and I think I will start taking my SS benefit. If my spouse were to die would I be able to get his higher amount if he waited until he was 66 and 10 months
Denise
If you decide to start your own retirement benefits in August at age 63, the fact that you take your own benefits early, will not affect the amount of your survivor benefit, should you be the surviving spouse. The factors that affect the amount of your survivor benefit, are whether or not your husband’s benefit is higher than your own and the age he takes his benefits. If he takes them early, he passes that reduction on to you, if he takes them at his full retirement age (FRA) and receives 100% of his benefits, that is the amount you will receive as long as you have reached your full benefit age (widow age) of 66 & 6 months. Your widow age is 4 months sooner than your FRA of 66 & 10 months as you were born in 1959. If your husband delays taking his benefits until age 70, with an FRA of 66 & 10 months, he will receive 125.3% of his benefit, which is the amount you would receive. If your husband should die before he starts receiving his Social Security benefits, his benefits will be calculated as of the date of his death. If he has not yet reached his FRA, his benefit will be equivalent to his FRA amount. If he delayed taking his benefits beyond his FRA, it will include all delayed retirement credits earned through his date of death.
If you are the surviving spouse, when you start receiving survivor benefits, your own smaller benefit will stop.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
can i collect benifits from my wife she died december 14 2021
Francis
First, let me offer you my condolences on the loss of your wife. Whether or not you are eligible for benefits on your wife’s record at this time depends on a few different factors. Your age and if you are at least 60 (age 50 if disabled) and whether or not you have started receiving your own retirement benefits yet. If you have started receiving your own retirement (or disability) benefits and your own benefits are higher than your wife’s were, the only benefit you would be eligible for would be the one-time lump-sum death benefit of $255. You would need to contact your local Social Security office to claim it. You can use the following link to obtain the phone number to your local office: https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp
If you have not yet started receiving your own retirement benefits yet, and are at least 62, you have the option to file a restricted application claiming the benefit of your choice first, your wife’s or your own. This gives you the option to claim her benefit at a reduced rate if you have not yet reached your full retirement age (FRA while allowing your own benefit to grow up to the age of 70 if you choose if it will result in a larger benefit than your wife’s.
If your wife’s benefit is larger than your own retirement benefit, once again you have the option to file a restricted application, except in this instance, you want to claim your own benefit at a reduced rate until you reach your FRA at which time you would 100% of her benefit at her time death, plus any cost of living increases since that date.
If you apply for any benefits before you reach your FRA you will be subject to an earnings limit of $19,560 for 2022, which is equivalent to $1,630 gross per month (net if self-employed). If you are obtaining your FRA this year the earnings limit increases to $51,960, equivalent to $4,330 per month.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
I will be 60 in November. My husband and I were married for 14 years until we divorced in 2009. We have no children. How can I find out if I qualify for Widower benefits and what do I need to show the SSA office?
Anette
To find out if you qualify you will need to call your local Social Security office. You may use the following link to obtain the phone number: https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp
If you no longer have access to his social security number, you will need to tell them his name, date of birth, name of his parents, and where he was born. You will need to submit proof of your date of marriage and the date of your divorce. If your divorce papers also contain the date you were married you will not need to submit a certified copy of your marriage license. Social Security will not accept photocopies of paperwork.
If you are eligible for a survivor benefit and you start your benefit when you turn 60, you will only receive a benefit equal to 71.5% of his Social Security benefit at the time of his death, plus any cost of living increases since that date. It will be a permanent reduction, and will never increase except for the cost of living increases.
You will also be subject to an earnings limit if you are still working. The limit for 2022 is $19,560 annually, equivalent to $1,630 per month. The earnings limit is based on your gross W-2 income (Box 3 before any non-taxable deductions) or your net self-employment income. If you should go over the earnings limit, Social Security will withhold $1 for every $2 you go over.
My husband passed at the age 49. He was getting disability. I am 50 years old and If I am approved of my own disability, will I be able to draw his disability as well as mine?
Kathy
It depends on how many years your husband has been deceased. You have to be approved for disability within a 7-year period from the date of his death to qualify for a survivor benefit on his record as a disabled widow and be able to receive it before the age of 60.
If you do qualify for disability on your own Social Security record, but your deceased husband’s benefit would be higher, you would receive a combination of both benefits, but the total amount you receive would not be more than the higher of the two benefits. Also, if you take your survivor benefit between age 50 and age 60, you will only receive a total amount of 71.5% of your deceased husband’s benefit.
If you are asking if you can collect your full disability benefit plus your deceased husband’s benefit, the answer is no. You can never collect the full amount of two benefits, only a combined amount to equal the higher of the two benefits.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
i just got married; if i die today how long will it take for my wife to sign on to my social security
Gilbert
Once you are married for 9 months your wife becomes eligible for a survivor benefit on your Social Security record as long as your benefit is higher than her own, and her own smaller benefit will end. If she has reached her full retirement age (FRA) she will receive 100% of your benefit at your time of death. If she were to claim it before her FRA, it will be reduced according to her age.
If anything were to happen to you before you are married for 9 months, your wife would have to be able to prove you were expected to live at least nine months when you got married.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
Husband past 01-19-2022 wat to know about survivor benefits;
Rebecca
First, let me offer you my condolences on the loss of your husband. To be eligible for a surviving spouse benefit on your deceased spouse’s Social Security record you have had to be married for at least nine months. If you were married less than nine months you will have to prove to Social Security that he was expected to live at least nine months.
If you are at least 60 years old (50 if a disabled widow) you are eligible to apply to receive your survivor benefits. If you were to take your survivor at age 60 your benefit would be equal to 71.5% of your spouse’s benefit at his time of death, and it will be a permanent reduction, the same for a disabled widow. If you have reached your full retirement age (FRA) you are eligible for 100% of your husband’s benefit, as long as his was higher than your own Social Security benefit if you are already receiving it. The survivor spouse only gets to receive the higher of the two benefits, and the smaller benefits end. If you are at least 62, and not yet receiving your own benefit you have the option to file a restricted application to choose which benefit you want to first, your own or your survivor benefit. Your own benefit will grow up to the age of 70, your survivor benefit will only grow to your FRA. If you are not yet receiving your own benefit, you should really know the amount of both benefits available to you before making your decision.
If you are under your FRA and start receiving any benefits, you are subject to an earnings limit. The earnings limit for 2022 is $19,560 annually, equivalent to $1,630 per month. This is determined based on your gross earnings if you receive a W-2, on your net earnings if you are self-employed. If you go over the annual limit Social Security will withhold $1 for every $2 you go over. There are special rules if you are retiring mid-year. If you are reaching your FRA this year, the earnings limit for 2022 is $51,960 annually, equivalent to $4,330 per month. If you go over the annual limit Social Security will withhold $1 for every $3 you over the limit. Once you reach your FRA there is no earnings limit.
As the surviving spouse, you are also eligible for a one-time lump sum benefit of $255, if you are not yet eligible to receive survivor benefits, you have to apply for this benefit within two years. You need to contact your local Social Security office to claim your survivor benefits. You may use the following link to obtain the phone number for your local office: https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
Rebecca
First, let me offer you my condolences on the loss of your husband. To be eligible for a surviving spouse benefit on your deceased spouse’s Social Security record you have had to be married for at least nine months. If you were married less than nine months you will have to prove to Social Security that he was expected to live at least nine months.
If you are at least 60 years old (50 if a disabled widow) you are eligible to apply to receive your survivor benefits. If you were to take your survivor at age 60 your benefit would be equal to 71.5% of your spouse’s benefit at his time of death, and it will be a permanent reduction, the same for a disabled widow. If you have reached your full retirement age (FRA) you are eligible for 100% of your husband’s benefit, as long as his was higher than your own Social Security benefit if you are already receiving it. The survivor spouse only gets to receive the higher of the two benefits, and the smaller benefits ends. If you are at least 62, and not yet receiving your own benefit you have the option to file a restricted application to choose which benefit you want to first, your own or your survivor benefit. Your own benefit will grow up to the age of 70, your survivor benefit will only grow to your FRA. If you are not yet receiving your own benefit, you should really know the amount of both benefits available to you before making your decision.
If you are under your FRA and start receiving any benefits, you are subject to an earnings limit. The earnings limit for 2022 is $19,560 annually, equivalent to $1,630 per month. This is determined based on your gross earnings if you receive a W-2, on your net earnings if you are self-employed. If you go over the annual limit Social Security will withhold $1 for every $2 you go over. There are special rules if you are retiring mid-year. If you are reaching your FRA this year, the earnings limit for 2022 is $51,960 annually, equivalent to $4,330 per month. If you go over the annual limit Social Security will withhold $1 for every $3 you over the limit. Once you reach your FRA there is no earnings limit.
As the surviving spouse, you are also eligible for a one-time lump sum benefit of $255, if you are not yet eligible to receive survivor benefits, you have to apply for this benefit within two years. You need to contact your local Social Security office to claim your survivor benefits. You may use the following link to obtain the phone number for your local office: https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
I need my 2021 benefit statment for filing my taxes
Gladys:
Please note that we are not affiliated with the Social Security Administration, and therefore have no access to any of your personal information. YOu will need to contact your local Social Security Office for statement copies, and you can locate contact information here: https://www.ssa.gov/locator. If you have a “my SSA Account” set up, you can also use that to get statement information. If you don’t have a “my SSA Account,” you can set one up here: https://edata.ssa.gov/myaccount/statement.html.
Gerry Hafer
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
How can i find out if i have ben receiving the correct amount of my spouses SSI
Elizabeth
To confirm you are receiving your spousal benefit based on your spouse’s Social Security record you need to contact your local Social Security Office.
A spouse can only receive a spousal benefit equal to 50% of their spouse’s full retirement age (FRA) benefit if you waited until your own FRA to start receiving your own retirement benefit. If you and your husband each waited until you reached your individual FRAs to take your benefits, your own benefit should equal 50% of his. If you took your own retirement benefit before your FRA, your spousal benefit will never equal 50% of your spouse’s FRA benefit amount.
To contact your local Security Office please use the following link to obtain the phone number: https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
If my wife’s Social Security benefit is based on her own earnings how does that affect the amount of survivor benefit she would get in the event of my death.
Mike
The surviving spouse is entitled to the highest benefit. If you have the highest benefit, regardless of when your wife starts her own benefits, she will receive 100% of your benefit at the time of your death as long as she has reached her full retirement age (FRA), and her own smaller benefit will end.
If you were to pass before she reaches her FRA, she has two options. She can claim your higher benefit at a reduced amount, which would be a permanent reduction or she can continue taking her own smaller benefit until she reaches her FRA.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
I am 62 and I am now a retired teacher in Texas. I am receiving TRS every month. My husband died 6 years ago and he paid into social security for 40 or 50 years. Can I get a portion of his social security now or in the future. I do not want to reduce my teacher pay in order to get his social security.
Beth
When you work in a position that doesn’t pay into Social Security, any spousal or survivor benefit you are eligible for on your spouse’s benefit is reduced by the Government Pension Offset (GPO). Social Security will reduce your survivor benefit by 2/3 of your gross TRS pension.
If you wait to your full retirement age (FRA) you are eligible to receive 100% of your husband’s Social Security benefit at his time of death, including any cost of living increases since that time. If you start your survivor benefit early, it will be reduced according to your age and it is a permanent reduction.
How Social Security will calculate your survivor benefit:
The amount of your survivor benefit when you take it less 2/3 of your gross TRS pension equals the amount you will receive as a survivor benefit. The GPO can actually zero out your survivor benefit.
Texas has school districts where some pay into Social Security and some don’t. If you worked in both types of districts, and they both paid into the TRS pension system, you have what is known as “mixed earnings.” If this pertains to you, it is very important you obtain the proper pension paperwork to present to Social Security so your GPO reduction is reduced accordingly to account for the earnings you received when you were paying into both Social
Security and the TRS pension system.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
If I collect my deceased husbands social security can I later collect my own. How much of his money am I entitled to? Half?
Nancy
If you have not started your own Social Security benefits, you have the option to restrict your application to your choice of which benefit you want to receive first. You will only receive 100% of either benefit if you wait until your full retirement age (FRA) to claim it.
If you are at least 60 years old (50 if disabled), are currently single, or didn’t remarry until after your 60th (50th if disabled) birthday, you are currently eligible to claim your survivor benefits. If you are at least 62, you need to restrict your application to your survivor benefit only which will allow your own retirement benefit to continue to grow up to the age of 70 if you choose. Your survivor benefit will not grow beyond your FRA so you would not want to delay taking it beyond that time. If you wait until your FRA to start your survivor benefit, you will receive 100% of your husband’s benefit at his time of death including any cost of living increases since that date. Your own benefit will not grow beyond age 70, so once again you would not want to delay starting it.
If you start receiving either benefit before the year you reach your FRA, you will be subject to an earnings limit. The annual earnings limit for 2022 is $19,560, equivalent to $1,630 per month. If you go over the annual limit Social Security will withhold $1 for every $2 you go over it. There are special rules pertaining to the earnings limit if you retire mid-year. In the year you reach your FRA, the earnings limit increases. The earnings limit for someone reaching their FRA in 2022 is $51,960 annually, equivalent to $4,330 per month. If you go over the annual limit Social Security will withhold $1 for $3 you go over. The earnings limit tends to increase each year.
I recommend you know the amount of both benefits available to you before making your final decision of which benefit you want to start first. If you start either one before your FRA, the reduction will be permanent.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
Anything will be help to me.
it was under my understanding, my spouse died. 7/21 we live in california. we were married 43 years BOTH worked our whole lives, but i can not collect his social security IF i want my also.I had to pick one or the other. My friends say Im CRAZY. That was what I was told! I still work full time, Im 68 years old was holding out till 70, but what good what it do ? if his is more. Thank you
Dawn
You were told correctly, you cannot collect both benefits at the same time. But you do have the option, to take the survivor benefit first, if your own retirement benefit will be higher at age 70.
Even if your husband’s benefit will always be higher than your own benefit, do not delay any longer in applying for your survivor benefit. If your own benefit will be higher at age 70, restrict your application to your survivor benefit only which will allow your own retirement benefit to continue to grow until you reach the age of 70.
In either case, as you are already 68, your survivor benefit is not growing and you should file for it as soon as possible. You can also claim six months of retroactive survivor benefits when you apply. You should call your local Social Security office to apply for your survivor benefit. Use the following link to obtain the phone number: https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp
The fact that you are still working full time will not affect the amount of the benefits you will receive, as you are not subject to an earnings limit. You are eligible for 100% of your husband’s benefit at the time of his death, and it will include the 5.9% cost of living increase for this year.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
My spouse has had her Social Security benefit reduced due to the Windfall elimination provision- she worked the last 20 years of her professional life for a community college and has a 403-B. Will she be eligible for spousal benefits if I pre-decease her? Thank you.
Joseph
While your wife’s own retirement was reduced by WEP, her survivor benefit will be reduced by the Government Pension Offset (GPO). Should your wife be the surviving spouse and your retirement benefit is higher than her own, she will be eligible for 100% of your benefit at the time of your death. However, Social Security will first reduce that survivor benefit by the GPO.
Social Security will take the gross amount of her pension, before any reductions, and multiply it times 2/3 (.667). Social Security will then take that total and subtract it from the gross amount of your benefit. If there is an amount left over, (GPO can actually zero out a survivor benefit) and if it is larger than the benefit she is currently receiving, that will be the amount of her survivor benefit. Whichever is the case, she will keep the larger of the two benefits, and the smaller benefit will stop.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
I am 62 years old my husband died two years ago can I receive his benefit, what is the percent that I will receive for his Social Security…
Nelida
As I don’t know your date of birth, you were born in either 1959 or 1960 so you will receive anywhere from 81.1% and 84.6%, depending on your date of birth. If you start your survivor benefit now the reduction you take will be a permanent reduction.
You will also be subject to an earnings limit until you reach your full retirement age (FRA). The annual limit for 2022 is $19,560, equivalent to $1.630. This is your gross income before any reductions and if you go over the annual limit Social Security will withhold $1 for every $2 you go over. There is another option in your first year of retirement. You can use the monthly limit instead if you are already over the annual limit. To use the monthly limit your gross income would have to be under $1.630 per month or Social Security will want the entire payment back for any month you went over that limit. This limit tends to go up each year. In the year you reach your FRA it goes up quite a bit. The earnings limit for someone reaching their FRA in 2022 is $51,960 annually or $4,330 monthly.
As you are 62, you have the option to take either your survivor benefit or your own retirement first, which will allow the higher benefit to continue to grow. Your survivor benefit reaches its maximum amount at your FRA, while your own retirement benefit maxes out at age 70. You must restrict your application to the benefit you want to take first when you apply.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
I will be 60 in July and my husband is deceased I am looking to go part time do i need to do that first do they base the amount on your previous years salary or does it start the time you start getting social security
Lisa
You will be subject to an earnings limit until you reach your full retirement age (FRA) of 67. The annual limit for 2022 is $19,560, equivalent to $1.630. This is your gross income before any reductions and if you go over the annual limit Social Security will withhold $1 for every $2 you go over. There is another option available in your first year of retirement when you retire mid-year. You can use the monthly limit instead if you are already over the annual limit or will go over the annual limit and Social Security will not count any of your earnings prior to the month your benefits begin. To use the monthly limit your gross income would have to be under $1.630 per month or Social Security will want the entire payment back for any month you go over that limit. This limit tends to go up each year. In the year you reach your FRA it goes up quite a bit. The earnings limit for someone reaching their FRA in 2022 is $51,960 annually or $4,330 monthly.
If you want to start your survivor benefits in the month of July, you will have to make sure your earnings will be under $1,630 that month. The payment you receive in July from earnings in June will not affect your July Social Security benefit. Social Security goes by the date you earned it not the date you receive it. It is very important you keep that paycheck stub as you may have to submit it to Social Security to prove it was earned in June. I recommend you keep all paycheck stubs for the rest of the year if you plan on using the monthly limit. Social Security has no way to determine when the income was earned when they receive your W-2.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
My father passed away March 21. Apparently SS will be notified and his benefit will replace hers. Does her payment date change to reflect his?
Jan
First, let me offer you my condolences on the loss of your father. If your mother has been receiving a spousal benefit based on your father’s birthday the payment date will not change as it is already based on his birthday.
If your mother is receiving her own retirement benefit, based solely on her record, then the payment date will change to the 4th Wednesday of each month, based on your father’s birthday.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
so many questions I have had two husbands pass. I have been told I was to young after death of 1st husband and had 2 minor children. I didn’t know better therefore I did not apply. Second husband they said I did not apply soon enough. I thought I was too young. Then I get a letter from ss saying according to our records you qualify for your fathers ssi. I read up about it, it’s very confusing please advice anyway you can. I am 63 and have been on disability for 6 or 7 years . Thanks for any and all advice
Marie
If either one of your deceased husband’s benefit amounts is higher than your own, you are eligible for a survivor benefit on their record.
The Social Security offices are supposed to be reopening tomorrow, Thursday, April 7th. I presume they will be extremely busy after being closed for two years. I recommend you call your local office and make an appointment to apply for your survivor benefits. Use the following link to obtain the phone number: https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp
As you are on disability, as long as it is SSDI (based on your own work record) and not SSI ( didn’t qualify on your own work record), you can wait until your full retirement age (FRA) to apply for a survivor benefit if you choose. Should both their benefits be higher than your own benefit, you have the option to take the smallest survivor benefit first at a reduced rate and the higher benefit at your FRA when you will receive 100% of it. Please be aware the amount you receive will not equal more than the survivor benefit amount.
You should call and make an appointment as soon as possible, as it will most likely take a while to get one. In the meantime gather your necessary documentation. If both of them died while you were still married to them, as long as it was more than nine months, you will need a certified copy of both your marriage licenses and death certificates. Social Security should have a copy of their death certificates, but you want to make sure they don’t want you to present one for each of them. If you don’t have certified copies available, as you will have to purchase them, you may want to wait until after you make sure you qualify for survivor benefits. The date of your phone call is considered your protective filing date, so you will be eligible for benefits beginning in the month you request an appointment.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
My wife, Hesha Turner, passed away 01/13/22, age 91 years 11 months 9 days. I have been trying to file for widow (or death, burial, survivors) benefits. After much frustration, and delay for my phone appointment, I was given a quick rejection saying she didn’t earn enough money. No further explaination. Many years ago, Social Security benefits were based on quarters worked. She started work around Summer 1948 and stopped June 1953. I do not have her income for this time. Can you please help me? Thank you.
Shabsi
First, let me offer you my condolences on the loss of your wife. I have removed your wife’s Social Security number and date of birth from your post on the AMAC Foundation Website. Never reveal that type of information in a public forum, even if the person is deceased.
If your wife only worked from 1948 until 1953 she would not have qualified for Social Security benefits on her own record as she needed to earn at least 40 quarters which takes a minimum of 10 years to earn.
As your wife never earned the necessary quarters there are no survivor benefits available to you.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
My husband has been diagnosed with stage IV metastatic melanoma, and we need to make practical plans since prognosis is poor. We are both FRA, and both work and collect our SS benefits. I am 69, and expect to work for 5 more years.If I choose to take my husband’s SS as a survivor benefit ( since his monthly benefit is higher than mine), is that amount fixed? Of can it grow as I continue to work?
Diane
As your husband’s Social Security benefit is higher than your own you want to apply for your survivor benefit. As you are beyond your full retirement age (FRA) you will receive 100% of your husband’s benefit at his time of death and your own smaller benefit will stop.
Your continuing to work will not increase your survivor benefit, it will only increase as a result of any cost of living increases in the future.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
hello,
My wife starting receiving her social security at 62 ($1200) currently 70 years old and I started receiving mine at 69 ($2800) currently 72 years old. I have been diagnosis with stage 4 cancer will my wife be
eligible for a survivor benefit and claim my amount of $2900 when I pass away? We will be married 50 years this August
Charles
The fact that your wife started taking her own benefits at age 62 will not affect the amount of your wife’s survivor benefit whatsoever. She will receive 100% of your benefit at the time of your death and her own smaller benefit will stop.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
I have been a widow since July 3rd, 2005 and haven’t received any of my husbands social security, and was wondering if I am eligible to his benefits? The reason I am asking is because my sister just retired, and she had asked, they stated for me to ask. I am turning 60 in June. But I still am employed. Plus I do feel I am eligible. If you could please let me know what I need to do.
LoAnn:
Yes, as a widow, you will be eligible at age 60 to receive your deceased husband’s retirement benefit, assuming your marriage lasted more than nine months. Be advised, though, that since your full retirement age (FRA) is 67, it will be reduced for each month you claim it before reaching your FRA. The reduction is about one-half of 1% for each month prior to FRA, but no more than 28.5%. Also, if you are eligible for Social Security benefits on your own record, the survivor benefit will replace your benefit if it’s a higher amount…it is not an addition to it.
Also, it’s important to know that If you claim the survivor benefit at age 60, because you are working you’ll be subject to the earnings test. Depending on your earnings level, you may not be entitled to get any benefits because the reduced benefit amount may not be sufficient to offset the penalty for exceeding the earnings limit. That could make you ineligible for any benefits, or at least cause you to lose benefits when Social Security assesses the penalty for exceeding the earnings limit. Your survivor benefit reaches maximum at your FRA and the earnings test no longer applies after FRA. If you intend to continue working full time, you may wish to wait until FRA to claim your survivor benefit, at which time you’ll get 100% of your husband’s benefit and won’t need to worry about earnings.
We suggest that you strive to maximize whichever benefit will be highest– the survivor benefit or your own Social Security retirement benefit. If your survivor benefit will be highest, it would be smart to wait until FRA to maximize the survivor benefit and collect that for the rest of your life. If your own Social Security retirement benefit, at maximum at age 70, will be highest, it would be prudent to claim the survivor benefit first (after you stop working full time) and claim your own benefit later. You have a choice of which benefit to claim (of course, you can’t claim your own until you are age 62).
If we can help you further. Please contact our Advisory Service at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@AmacFoundation.org. This is a free service available to the public.
Thanks for contacting us.
Gerry Hafer
National Social Security Advisor
The AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
My husband recently passed away. He was receiving disability. I am 58 years, when can I receive widow benefits?
Susan
First, let me offer you my condolences on the loss of your husband. If you are on disability yourself, you may start collecting your survivor benefit now, but you would only receive a benefit equal to 71.5% of your husband’s benefit at the time of his death. The total of your two benefits would only equal that amount.
If you are not on disability yourself, you will become eligible when you turn age 60. You would only receive 71.5% of your husband’s benefit at that time also. You will also be subject to an earnings limit if you are still working. The earnings limit for 2022 is $19,560 annually. If you go over that limit Social Security will reduce your benefit by $1 for every $2 you go over. This limit tends to increase each year, so it will most likely be higher when in the year you turn 60.
At this time you may apply for the one-time lump-sum death benefit of $255. To contact your local Social Security office to claim it use the following link to obtain their phone number: https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
My husband passed away in 2010 a few months after starting his retirement at 65 (a year earlier than his full retirement at 66). I’m now turning 60 and am trying to figure out what my survivor benefit will be and whether COLA’s since that time increase my benefit. His benefit was $2026 a month and there have been 10 COLAs since his date of death for an increase of 22.4% or $453 a month. Will my survivor benefits be based on 71.5% of his $2026 benefit at death or the $2479.00 COLA-adjusted benefit…?
Ann
When you apply for your survivor benefit, Social Security will add all the cost-of-living increases since the date of your husband’s death to his primary insurance amount (PIA), and the 71.5% will be based on that new amount. PIA (what he would have received at his FRA) times the cost-of-living increases since his death times 71.5%, so it might be slightly higher than you are estimating. If you decide to wait until your full retirement age to claim it, you will receive 100% of your husband’s benefit amount at his time of death plus the cost of living increases through the date you claim it.
Whichever age you decide to start, it will contain all the cost of living increases since 2010.
You need to contact your local Social Security office to determine the actual amount you will receive if you start your survivor benefit when you turn 60. Use the following link to obtain the phone number: https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp
If you are still working you will be subject to an annual earnings limit of $19.560 in 2022. If you go over this limit Social Security will withhold $1 for every $2 you go over. There is also a monthly option, in which as long as you earn less than $1,630 (gross) per month, you can keep your full survivor benefit, if you go over the monthly limit Social Security will want the full payment back for that month. The monthly limit is usually only used when someone retires mid-year and has already gone over the annual limit. This limit tends to increase each year.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
Hi, my husband passed away recently at the age of 58. We have been married for 9 years. He has two adult children from a previous marriage. I know I can only claim his ss benefits at the age of 60, but can his children also claim benefits? What percentage of his ss can I claim. He was maxed out on paying ss when he passed away. Thank you!
Sarah
Please accept my condolences on the loss of your husband. His adult children are not eligible for Social Security benefits on your husband’s record unless they are adult disabled children before the age of 22. You are eligible for 100% of your husband’s benefit at his time of death which will be equal to his full retirement age benefit (FRA) plus any cost-of-living increases since then. If you start your benefits at age 60, you will only receive 71.5% of your husband’s benefit and it will be a permanent reduction.
If you are still working, you will also be subject to an earnings limit. For 2022, it is $19,560 annually and this amount does tend to increase each year. If you go over the limit, Social Security will reduce your benefit by $1 for every $2 you would go over.
If your husband’s benefit will always be higher own, and you wait until you are at least 62, you will have the option to restrict your application to take your own retirement benefit early at a reduced rate, while waiting until your FRA of 67 to claim 100% of your husband’s benefit.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
I started receiving SSDI and excess survivors benefits at the same time at age 56. I will reach full retirement age this December, what will happen to my benefits at that time?
Sharon
When you reach your full retirement age (FRA), your two benefits will merge into one payment, as your SSDI will automatically convert to your retirement benefit. The total amount of the payment you will receive will remain the same as what you currently receive. When you took your survivor benefits at age 56 you took a permanent reduction to that benefit. Your combined benefit will equal 71.5% of your deceased husband’s benefit plus the cost of living increases.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
Social security ripped me off because I retired and get 3000.00 a mo th from my retirement the government social security only gives me a small.percentage of my husband’s social security I was getting g 2300.00 until I retired now the government is stealing most of his social security that he paid into and worked hard for. Government should never steal his money they should be giving me his full amount if social security. He has passed now but I did not start collecting his social security until I was 66. Government is a their
Mary
We are Social Security Advisors at the AMAC Foundation and not involved politically whatsoever. I know there are some bills in Congress to repeal the WEP and GPO, therefore I am forwarding your email to AMAC Action, the political branch of AMAC.
You can also contact your local Representative and ask them to support a bill to repeal the GPO. Use the following link to locate their offices: https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
spouse died at 67 and took his SS early. I am working and took SS at full retirement age. I make more than he did when he retired due to illness. I have been told by SSA I am not entitled to any of his benefits. Is this due to my working and having higher benefits than he did? If I stop working, will I be entitled to any of his social security?
Kathy
The surviving spouse only receives the larger of the two benefits available to them, which in your case is apparently your own benefit as it is higher than your husband was.
The only option you could possibly have to collect his benefit is if you have been receiving your own retirement benefit for less than 12 months. If this is your case, you have the option to do what is known as “the do-over-option.” This allows you to contact Social Security and tell them, I made a mistake and want to cancel my benefits. You will receive a letter from Social Security telling you how much money you have to pay back, and it must be paid in one payment. If you are able to utilize this option, it will be as if you never applied for your own retirement benefit. You will then have the option to claim your husband’s benefit while allowing your own retirement benefit to grow up to the age of 70 if you choose. You would not want to delay beyond 70 as your benefit will quit growing. When you then once again begin your own retirement benefit, your survivor benefit will end.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
My husband was 69 when he died last month. I am 66. I am a retired teacher. Am I elibible for survivor benefits?
Heidi
Please accept my condolences on the recent loss of your husband. Whether or not you are eligible for survivor benefits depends on a few different factors.
You mention you are a retired teacher. Does this mean you are receiving a pension from a position that you didn’t pay into Social Security while you were teaching? If this is the case, you are subject to the Government Pension Offset (GPO). Social Security will take 2/3 of your gross pension, before any deductions for health insurance, etc., and deduct that amount from your survivor benefits based on your husband’s record. This reduction can actually zero out any survivor benefit you may otherwise be eligible to receive.
If you paid into both your pension plan and Social Security while you were teaching, you would be eligible for your full survivor benefit which would be equal to the amount of your husband’s benefit at his time of death if you have reached your full benefit age, which is your widow age. You state you are 66, if you were born in 1955 or 1956 your widow’s age is 66. This would also depend on a few factors. Were you married for at least 9 months? Was his benefit higher than your own benefit? As the surviving spouse, you will receive the higher of the two benefits available to you, and the smaller benefit will stop.
If you have not yet started receiving your own retirement benefits and your own benefit will grow larger than your survivor benefit, you have the option to restrict your application to your survivor benefit only and allow your own retirement to grow up to age 70.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
Why does the survivor family maximum state between 150 and 180% of the total benefit. My nieces husband passed away at age 28. The calculation was just over 1,000 for each child until they finish school. Because they may have used the “special” calculation can we ask which percentage they are using? 30% is important. Also can this calculation be increased or re-calculated. It seems pretty low – but we are still grateful!
Kathryn,
Based on the information you have provided, and the fact that you state “30% is important,” leads me to believe there are only two children receiving benefits on their father’s record. If this is correct, each child would be receiving a benefit equal to 75% of their father’s Social Security benefit, for a total of 150%. The family max can actually be as high as 188%, but this would only occur if there were three or more dependents collecting on the same Social Security record.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
My husband passed on 1/3/22 and his SS was stopped that dsy thru the funeral home. When will that start coming to me and mine stopping it’s been 4 months, how long does it take.
Danielle,
Our condolences on the loss of your husband. The funeral director who handled your husband’s arrangements was required to send a copy of his death certificate to the Social Security Administration (SSA). SSA would stop your husband’s Social Security effective with his benefit for the month he died, but your survivor benefit would start automatically only if you were already collecting a spousal benefit from your husband’s record while he was living.
Social Security’s normal process requires a survivor to contact them for survivor benefits to begin, but they start that benefit automatically if you’re already collecting a spousal benefit from the deceased. If you were collecting only your own SS based on your own lifetime work record (but no spouse benefit), you will need to contact Social Security directly to claim your survivor benefit from your husband. A couple of things to be aware of:
– if you haven’t yet reached your full retirement age (somewhere between 66 and 67, depending on the year you were born) and you are working full time, any SS benefit you take will be subject to Social Security’s earnings test, which limits how much you can earn before they take back some of your benefits. The penalty for exceeding the earnings limit ($19,560 for 2022) is $1 for every $2 you are over the limit and, if your earnings are well over the limit, it could disqualify you from receiving a survivor benefit until you either reach your full retirement age, or have less significant work earnings.
– You need to be at least 60 years old to get a survivor benefit (unless you are disabled, in which case you must be at least 50).
– Your survivor benefit as your husband’s widow must be more than you are entitled to on your own work record. You only get one benefit – whichever is highest.
If you are at least 60 years old and were collecting a spouse benefit while your husband was living, but your survivor benefit hasn’t yet started four months after your husband’s death, you should contact Social Security and ask that your survivor benefit be started. You can contact Social Security by calling 1.800.772.1213, or call your local SS office (find it at http://www.ssa.gov/locator). Or if you were collecting only your own smaller SS retirement benefit but your husband’s benefit at his death was higher than yours, you should also contact Social Security to request that your survivor benefits be started. If otherwise eligible, you should request benefits retroactive to the month your husband died.
Russell Gloor
National Social Security Advisor
The AMAC Foundation
my wife passed away on feb 6 2021. her benefits were higher than mine. How do I claim hers over mine?
Ronald,
Assuming you were both collecting Social Security and your wife’s benefit at her death was higher than yours, you can claim your survivor benefit by contacting Social Security directly, either at 1.800.772.1213 or at your local SS office (www.ssa.gov/locator). Social Security requires that you contact them directly to start your survivor benefit, and you can apply for your survivor benefit over the phone. Be aware that you will only get one benefit – your own or your survivor benefit, whichever is highest. Since your wife passed some time ago, you can also request up to six months of retroactive survivor benefits.
Russell Gloor
National Social Security Advisor
The AMAC Foundation
I’m 59 and on Social Security Disability. My husband who was 69, just passed away from his illness with cancer. Can I still draw my SSD and part of his SS? Also, Do I get the widow benefit?
Bonnie
Please accept my condolences on the recent loss of your husband. Due to the fact that you are disabled, you are eligible to start receiving a survivor benefit now versus having to wait until 60.
There are a couple of factors that will affect whether or not you are actually eligible for them at this time. First, your husband’s Social Security benefit has to be higher than the amount you are currently receiving as your disability benefit. Also if you start your survivor benefit at this time, you will only receive a benefit equal to 71.5% of your husband’s benefit. This is the total amount you would receive, and it would be a combination of your disability benefit and your survivor benefit. It will also be a permanent reduction. You will not become eligible for 100% of your husband’s benefit until you reach your full retirement age (FRA) of 67.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
My husband died in January, I currently draw $714 per month in benefits, am I entitled to any additional benefits from my deceased spouse.
Lynn
Please accept my condolences on your loss. The amount you will receive will depend on your age and when your husband took his own Social Security benefits. If you are currently receiving a spousal benefit, and you have reached your full retirement age (FRA) and your husband’s benefit would be higher than your own, you should have started receiving it automatically. If you are not receiving a spousal benefit based on your husband’s record you need to contact your local Social Security office to apply for your survivor benefits. You only have two options to apply for it, over the phone or by making an appointment with your local office as they are now reopened.
You can contact your local office by using the following link: https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
Will I be eligible for any widow benefits at the age of 60 from my deceased husband?
LoAnn
Yes, you become eligible for widow benefits at age 60 (50 if disabled) as long as your husband qualified for Social Security benefits, you were married at least 9 months, and you do not remarry before your 60th birthday. If you decide to start your widow benefits at age 60 your benefit will only equal 71.5% of your husband’s benefit, and it will be a permanent reduction.
If you are still currently working, you will be subject to an earnings limit which could affect your eligibility at this time. The current annual earnings limit for 2022 is $19,560 ($1,630 per month). If you go over the annual limit Social Security will withhold $1 for every $2 you go over the limit. If your earnings are too high, they will not allow you to take your widow benefits at this time. This limit is based on your gross income on your W-2 or your net income if you are self-employed.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
My sister is 63. Her husband died in 1998 at age 61. My sister does not have enough work credits to collect social security. Can she collect her late husband’s benefits?
Sheri
Your sister is eligible for a survivor benefit on her late husband’s Social Security record, and she will also be eligible for Medicare under his record if she was married at least nine months when he passed away and is currently single or did not remarry before her 60th birthday.
You state your sister is 63, so if she starts her survivor benefit at this time, she will only receive approximately 85% of his benefit, including all the cost-of-living increases since the date of his death. This will be a permanent reduction and will not increase except for any cost-of-living increases
If she is still working, she is also subject to an earnings limit which is $19,560 annually for 2022. If she goes over this limit Social Security will withhold $1 for every $2 she goes over. This limit tends to increase slightly each year.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
I am retired, age 70, receiving social security benefits. I have been married for 34 years. If I should die tomorrow, will my wife begin receiving widow’s benefit? How can I calculate this?
Don
The amount of your benefit that will wife will receive as the survivor spouse depends on two factors. The first is, that the amount of your Social Security benefit must be higher than her own retirement benefit. If your benefit is the highest benefit of the two, your wife will receive 100% of your benefit at your time of death as long as she has reached her full retirement age (FRA) and her own smaller benefit will stop.
There is something known as the “widow’s limit.” This does come into the calculation of the survivor benefit when the spouse with the higher benefit took their benefits at age 62. As you are 70, you had an FRA of 66 which means you would have only received 75% of your FRA benefit amount at that time. If you took your own benefit at age 62, your wife would actually receive a higher benefit than what you were receiving as the survivor. Her benefit would be increased to 82.5% of your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA), which is usually equal to your FRA benefit.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
My wife, age 70, collects survivors benefit from her late husband. Should I die will she continue collecting her survivors benefit plus get half of my social security benefit? Or will she just receive half of her social security and loose her survivor benefit? Or will it revered back, and she will get her Social Security benefit which is less than her survivor benefit?
Ludwig
If you should pass away before your wife, she will be able to receive whichever survivor benefit is the highest. If your Social Security benefit is higher than the survivor benefit she is currently receiving from her late husband, she will need to contact Social Security to apply for your higher benefit, and her current survivor benefit will stop. She cannot collect more than one benefit.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
I’m retiring at 66.4 months. Can I claim my deceased husband’s social security if he made more than me in his working lifetime?
Elizabeth:
Yes, a surviving spouse is entitled to 100% of the amount the deceased spouse was receiving at death, if the survivor claims the benefit at or after full retirement age. This assumes, of course, that age 66 and four months is your full retirement age. If this is not your full retirement age, the amount you receive will be discounted at the rate of .396% for each month the benefit is claimed prior to full retirement age.
Please contact our AMAC Foundation Social Security Advisory Service if we can be of any further assistance to you. Our telephone number is 888-750-2622, and our email address is SSAdvisor@AmacFoundation.org.
Gerry Hafer
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
Will a widow that is beyond their FRA receive just the spouse’s Full Retirement Benefit (what they would have received at their FRA) or do they also get the delayed credits that the spouse received at age 70?
Mike
The surviving spouse that has reached their full retirement age (FRA) receives 100% of the highest benefit including all the delayed retirement credits, and the smaller benefit ends.
If we can help you further, please give our Advisory Service a call at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
I was married to my deceased ex husband for 12 years. Remarried and divorced 1 year later because NC doesn’t recognize annulment. Would I qualify for widows pension? He had remarried too as well.
Michelle
If you are once again currently single, you are eligible for a survivor benefit based on your deceased ex-husband’s record. If you are currently receiving your own retirement benefits, his benefit would have to be higher than your own benefit in order to receive it and your own smaller benefit would stop.
You become eligible for survivor benefits at the age of 60 but if you take them at this time you will only receive 71.5% of your deceased ex-husband’s benefit at the time of his death and it is a permanent reduction. If you are at least 62 you have the option to take your own retirement benefit or your survivor benefit first, by restricting your application to the benefit you want to receive first. If you take your survivor benefit first, it will allow your own retirement benefit to grow up to your age of 70. If you take your own benefit first, do not delay beyond your full retirement age (FRA) to take your survivor benefit as it will not continue to grow.
If you start any benefits before you reach your FRA you will be subject to an earnings limit if you are still working. The annual limit for 2022 is $19,560. If you go over the annual limit Social Security will withhold $1 for every $2 you go over. This limit tends to increase each year. For 2022, if you are reaching your FRA this year, the annual limit is $51,960. If you go over the annual limit Social Security will withhold $1 for every $3 you go over.
I strongly recommend you find out the amount of both benefits before making your final decision. You will have to contact Social Security to find out what the amount of your survivor benefit will be. If you do not still have access to your ex-husband’s Social Security number, you will need to know his date of birth, his parents’ name and where he was born. If Social Security gives you hard time obtaining this information tell them you need it to make an informative retirement decision, ask for a supervisor if they persist in giving you a hard time.
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
I am eligible for widow’s benefits .if I moved to Canada from the USA
Maxine
Canada is one of the countries with which the United States has a Social Security Totalization Agreement. Under the agreement, you may receive benefits as long as you reside in Canada.
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
How much benefits will my spouse receive from my retirement social security checks.
Nelida
The AMAC Foundation is not affiliated with the Social Security Administration (SSA) so we are unable to access your Social Security information. You need to contact Social Security to find out the amount of what your spouse will receive on your record. The phone number is (800)772-1213.
If your spouse never worked, they will be eligible under your Social Security record for a spousal benefit up to 50% of your full retirement age (FRA) benefit if they wait until their FRA to start their benefits. If your spouse qualifies for a Social Security benefit on their own record, they will qualify for a spousal boost if 50% of your own FRA benefit is more than 100% of their benefit at their FRA. If your spouse starts their spousal benefits before their FRA, it will be reduced according to the age your spouse starts their benefits and it will be a permanent reduction.
If your spouse is the surviving spouse, your spouse will receive 100% of your benefit at your time of death and their own smaller benefit will stop.
If you have further questions please contact us either by email at ssadivor@amacfoundation.org or call (888)750-2622
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
If I was married to my ex-husband for 9 years and 11 months and never remarried, do I qualify for his survivor benefits
Robyn
Social Security’s rules on this are very explicit – to collect a survivor benefit from an ex-spouse you must have been married for a full ten years, so 9 years and 11 months, while close, will not qualify you for ex-spouse survivor benefits. There is an outside possibility that if you and your ex-husband cohabitated in a state which recognizes common law relationships as “married,” and you appeared to be husband and wife before your actual marriage ceremony, and you can prove that to Social Security beyond a doubt, that they may permit you to claim that cohabitation period as part of your marriage, but only Social Security can make that determination. Social Security will only recognize common law relationship as “marriage” if the state in which your co-habitation relationship was established recognizes “common law marriage,” and not every state does. You may find these links informative:
https://www.benefits.gov/benefit/4408
https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0200305060
In addition to the 10-years married rule, you must be at least 60 years old (or at least 50 if you are disabled) to collect ex-spouse survivor benefits.
If the above conditions are not met, you cannot get a survivor benefit from your deceased ex-spouse.
Russell Gloor
National Social Security Advisor
The AMAC Foundation
my husband passed away at 69 years old 3/9/21 we were married for 50 years im 69 now would i be able to get this
Rena
Whether or not you are eligible for a survivor benefit on your husband’s record depends on a couple different factors. First, his benefit at the time of his death would have to be higher than your own retirement benefit. As you are only 69, you do not state whether you delayed your own benefit until 70 or not. If you have, and that amount will be higher than what your husband’s benefit would be, you have the option to restrict your application to your survivor benefit only until you start your own benefits at age 70. You will also be able to claim six months of retroactive benefits.
If you are already taking your own benefits and they are higher than what your husband was receiving or would have received if he wasn’t taking them yet at his time of death, you would only be eligible to receive the $255 lump sum death benefit if you haven’t claimed it yet.
If you have further questions please contact us either by email at ssadivor@amacfoundation.org or call (888)750-2622
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
My husband Terry L.Wilcox passed away on 06/04/2022 and I wish to draw his ss check instead of mine, I am 75. What do I need to do to get this set up and to receive death benefits.Thanks in advance
Peggy
Please let me offer you my condolences on the recent loss of your husband. Please note that I have removed the Social Security number from your post. You should never post a Social Security number in a public forum.
If your husband’s benefit was higher than your own at his time of death, you are now eligible for 100% of his benefit at the time of his death, and your own smaller benefit will end. You need to contact your local Social Security office to make an appointment to apply for his benefit and the one-time lump-sum death benefit of $255. You must apply in person or over the phone when filing for a survivor benefit. You cannot apply for a survivor benefit online. Social Security may request a certified copy of your marriage license and his death certificate. If you do not currently have these documents available, don’t delay in applying, if necessary, Social Security will help you obtain them.
If you have further questions please contact us either by email at ssadivor@amacfoundation.org or call (888)750-2622
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
I am a surviving spouse who is 63 years old and I started receiving my deceased husband’s social security benefits at 84% of his PIA. If I remarry and my new husband dies after I reach full retirement age (66 ½), can I then switch my benefit from the 84% of my first husband’s PIA to the higher 100% of my 2nd husband’s PIA?
Susan,
After you have been married to your 2nd husband for 9 months, you would be eligible for a survivor benefit as his widow at any age, and if you had reached your full retirement age you’d get 100% of the amount he was receiving at his death. Essentially, because you would be remarrying after you are 60 years old, if your 2nd husband dies you would have a choice of which husband you wish to claim a survivor benefit from, and you’d obviously chose the one which would give you the higher benefit.
And, to make sure you’re aware, if you remarry after age 60 you can continue to receive your survivor benefit from your first husband, which is probably more than you would be entitled to as the spouse of your 2nd husband while both of you are living.
Russell Gloor
National Social Security Advisor
The AMAC Foundation
I’m 39yrs old and disabled permanently. I’m having a hard time getting my late husband’s sad benefits. We were married 04/08/2006 he passed away 12-18-2016. I was a stay at home mom for 20 years. 5 children. They get benefits but are with their Grandmother at the moment it’s been an ongoing custody battle since he passed away
Amanda,
At 39, you might normally be entitled to child-in-care surviving spouse benefits, but you would need to be providing the care and support for your minor children to do so. You say that your 5 children are now living with their grandmother and receiving benefits from their deceased father (your deceased husband). So each child who is still a minor (under 18, or under 19 if still in high school) is already receiving SS benefits from your deceased husband, and the benefit each child receives is restricted by the Family Maximum. The Family Maximum is based on your deceased husband’s Social Security entitlement, and is always between 150% and 180% of the Social Security benefit your husband had earned to his death. If all 5 of your child are minors receiving benefits from your deceased husband, the Family Maximum amount is now being split evenly among them. Even if you were providing support for your 5 minor children and were eligible for child-in-care benefits (which it appears you are not because the children are now with their grandmother), your benefit amount would be only 1/6th of the Family Maximum, and that would also reduce the amount each of your children are receiving.
I assume that you have already contacted Social Security, and since they have not awarded you child-in-care benefits, it is likely because you’re not now providing care for your children. And, at age 39, you are not entitled to a regular surviving spouse benefit (surviving spouse benefits are normally available at age 60, or age 50 if you are disabled). If your “custody battle” is decided by the courts in your favor and you resume caring for your minor children, it’s likely you’ll also become entitled to child-in-care surviving spouse benefits, but the amount would, again, be small because the Family Maximum would be equally apportioned to everyone receiving benefits on your deceased husband’s record – all 5 of your minor children and you.
Amanda, from the information you’ve shared, it does not appear you are personally entitled to benefits from your deceased husband at this time, but only Social Security can make the final determination. If you are already in contact with Social Security, I suggest you continue that dialogue until they provide you with a written decision. If your status changes and you are caring for at least one of your deceased husband’s minor children, you could become eligible for a small child-in-care surviving spouse benefit. But if that happens, any benefit you get would reduce the benefits your children receive.
Russell Gloor
National Social Security Advisor
The AMAC Foundation
Greetings. George here. My birthdate is 6/29/1956. I have a pension from my employer and an IRA. My plans were to use my pension and draw from my IRA until I reached full retirement age which is November 2022.
I retired in July 2021. While setting up my Medicare I was informed that I was eligible to receive my ex wife’s SSI and agreed to receive the survivor benefit until I reach FRA which then I would switch to my SSI benefits which should be approximately 1200 more than the survivor benefit. Last month I established an appointment to start my personal SSI benefits. I then receive a letter denying my benefits because “You told us you didn’t want to file a claim for SSI”. I have been attempting to reach the SS administration but after an hour on hold the call becomes disconnected (this has happened over 20 times). I am not sure what to do at this point. I don’t think I would have ever indicated that I did not want to apply for my SSI benefit. Can you possibly shine some light on my situation as I attempt to contact the SSA? Thanks.
George,
We know that trying to contact Social Security by phone these days can be a frustrating exercise. From what you’ve shared, it appears as if the SS agent you previously spoke with incorrectly interpreted something you said to mean that you want to withdraw your application for your personal Social Security benefits. Since that is obviously not the case, you will need to, once again, submit your application for your personal SS retirement benefits. However, this time I suggest you use Social Security’s online application process to avoid the lengthy telephone wait times. Applying online is relatively easy by going to http://www.ssa.gov/retire, but you will need to first create your personal “my Social Security” online account at http://www.ssa.gov/myaccount. When completing the online application, you will encounter a question asking if you are now collecting, or have previously applied for, benefits on anyone else’s record. Answer “Yes” to this and provide the required information. This should result in a contact from Social Security to complete your application for your own SS retirement benefits (or notify you of your new benefit amount).
George, the above is based on the assumption that SS has incorrectly assumed you asked to withdraw your application for your own benefits. Rest assured that you will get the full SS retirement benefits you are entitled to, starting in the month you specify you wish them to start (Nov. 2022), even if they must pay you retroactively (which will hopefully not be the case). That you are now collecting a survivor benefit from your ex-wife does not disqualify you from receiving your personally earned SS retirement benefit as you wish. The only other scenario I could see is if, when you applied for your survivor benefit, they incorrectly also awarded your personal SS retirement benefit at that time, which would be grounds for a formal appeal (since you explicitly told them last year you want only your survivor benefit and wish to delay your personal benefit until your full retirement age).
Russell Gloor
National Social Security Advisor
The AMAC Foundation
Hi my husband passed away June 2018 he was 59 years old. I tried to get the one time lump-sum death payment of $255 but I was ineligible because I was separated from him in the time of his passing. Am I be able to get the window benefits, I am now over 60. Me and my husband got married in January 1982.
Angie,
Unfortunately, the $255 lump-sum death benefit is only paid to a spouse who was living with the deceased. Social Security monthly survivor benefits, however, are governed by different rules. If you and your husband were only separated and not legally divorced, you are still eligible for a survivor benefit as his widow. If you and your husband were legally divorced and you were married for at least 10 years, and you haven’t remarried before age 60, you are eligible for a survivor’s benefit as his ex-spouse. But survivor benefits must be applied for by directly contacting the Social Security Administration (you cannot apply for survivor benefits online). Contact Social Security at 1.800.772.1213 to apply for your survivor benefits.
You should also understand that if you claim your survivor benefit before reaching your own full retirement age, or “FRA,” your benefit amount will be reduced. The reduction is 4.75% for each full year earlier than your FRA that you claim it. Also, if you are working, Social Security imposes an earnings limit on anyone collecting benefits before their FRA. In 2022 if you work and earn more than $19,560, Social Security will take away benefits equal to $1 for every $2 you are over the limit (half of what you exceed the limit by). If your work earnings are high enough, it could also make you ineligible for SS benefits at this time (the earnings limit no longer applies after you reach your FRA).
So, Angie, from what you’ve written you appear to be eligible for a monthly survivor benefit as your husband’s widow, depending on you meeting the criteria I explained above. If you have any further questions, please email us at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org.
Russell Gloor
National Social Security Advisor
The AMAC Foundation
I just reached 62 years and 7 months old and intend to work until my full retirement age of 66 years and 10 months (or longer). A lot of people I know chose to take benefits at their earliest possible age but this seems foolish to me since SS limits the amount I can make while still still earning my normal income. If my math is correct I would actually not even receive benefits since they subtract $1 of the payout for every $2 I earn over the limit. So my choices are to be okay to FRA or possibly delay until 70. Two questions on this. First, the amount SS pays out goes up dramatically in the final 12 months between 69 and 70 so it seems like if I decide to defer my distribution the only sensible choice would be to wait all the way to 70. According to my math I would need to live to 82 to break even but then would earn an extra $1000 each month after that because of the difference between the layout at FRA and 70. Which is typically the wiser choice? I know it is a gamble either way because the money I would earn at FRA up to 70 can never be recouped if I die early. The other question is what would my wife receive when I die in both cases? Can she receive the higher amount if I wait to 70 and would she receive 100% of that amount if she waits to collect until her FRA (she is nearly 9 years younger than me)? Any other considerations I haven’t mentioned to think through?
I received benefits as a widow caring for a child under age 16 for 5 years. Am I able to still receive my husband’s social security when I am eligible at 62 or 67?
Angela
You will become eligible for a regular widow benefit at age 60 if you are single at that time. If you apply for your survivor benefit at that time, it will only be 71.5% of your husband’s benefit at the time of his death. If you wait until your full retirement age (FRA), it will be 100% of his benefit at the time of his death. If you wait until the age of 62, you will have the choice of taking the lowest benefit available to you first, whether it be your own or your husband’s, at a reduced rate, and allowing the larger of the two benefits to continue to grow until the age of 70, or until any time it becomes larger.
When making your decision on when to claim your survivor benefit, you should know the amount of your own benefit and your husband’s benefit. This will help you receive the largest Social Security benefit available to you.
If you have further questions please contact us either by email at ssadivor@amacfoundation.org or call (888)750-2622
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
My ex husband passed away in March this year. We were married 1982-1997.
I am 62 yo, can I apply for his benefits now and then, at 67.5 get my benefits?
He has a daughter from previous relationships, she is 16 yo. Will it affect her benefits?
Thank you!
Marianna
An ex-spouse’s survivor benefit does not affect the family max. You taking your survivor benefits will not affect his daughter’s benefits at all, she will continue to receive her full amount. If you are still working, as you are only 62, you will be subject to an earnings limit of $19,560 for 2022. If you go over the earnings limit, Social Security will withhold $1 for every $2 you go over. This limit tends to increase each year.
If you have further questions please contact us either by email at ssadivor@amacfoundation.org or call (888)750-2622
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
Regarding Survivor benefits, will the social security check be deposited according to my deceased husband’s date of birth or mine?
Donna
Benefits received on a spouse’s record are paid based on their birthday, not your own. If you are currently receiving your own retirement benefit and you are switching to your survivor benefit, and your own birthday is a different payment date, you should confirm whether or not your payment date will change with Social Security. You will also receive a letter in the mail informing you when you receive your first payment.
Please contact us if you have further questions.
If you have further questions please contact us either by email at ssadivor@amacfoundation.org or call (888)750-2622
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
I need W-2 for 2021
Martin:
You will need to contact your employer for re-issuance of a W-2. We are unable to make that contact on your behalf.
Gerry Hafer
AMAC Foundation
Do I qualify for ss survivor benefits if I’m retired with a government pension?
Jeff
Please accept my condolences on the loss of your spouse. Whether or not you qualify for a survivor benefit depends on two factors. If you are receiving a Social Security Retirement benefit on your own work record, it would have to be less than the amount of your spouse’s benefit at the time of their death.
However, while the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) affects your own retirement benefit, the Government Pension Offset (GPO) will affect any survivor benefit you may be eligible for. Social Security will reduce your survivor benefit amount by 2/3 of your gross government pension.
Example: Gross amount of your pension times .667 (2/3) = the amount of the reduction to your survivor benefit. If this amount is higher than your WEP reduced Social Security benefit amount, you qualify for a survivor benefit and your own smaller benefit will end. The WEP reduction can never reduce your own retirement to zero, however, the GPO reduction can reduce your survivor benefit to zero.
If you have further questions please contact us either by email at ssadivor@amacfoundation.org or call (888)750-2622
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
My soon to be ex was widowed before marrying me. We were married less than 10 years so she can’t benefit from me SS. Can she still get her late (previous) husbands social security benefit back as she was married more than 10 years to him.
Mario
Your soon-to-be ex will be able to apply for a survivor benefit on her previous late husband’s Social Security record after your divorce becomes final.
If you have further questions please contact us either by email at ssadivor@amacfoundation.org or call (888)750-2622
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
I can draw on my wife’s social security at age 60 due to her death. I know if i get married before age 60 i can not collect on her social security. My question lets say i don’t get remarried until after i turn 60. But married after i turn 60 and decide to collect on my deceased wife social security at 63 will i be able to collect or her social security still? or because i got remarried and didn’t collect it yet i have to draw on my own social security?
Second part of the same question if i start collecting on my deceased wife’s social security at age 60 then get married after i start collecting can i still continue to collect?
thank you in advance for your response.
Mark
If you don’t get remarried until after your 60th birthday you can collect a survivor benefit on your deceased spouse’s record. You will be able to continue receiving it even if you remarry after you started receiving your survivor benefit.
If you do choose to start your survivor benefit before you reach your full retirement age (FRA) you will be subject to an earnings limit which is $19,560 for 2022. If you go over the earnings limit Social Security will withhold $1 for every $2 you go over. This limit tends to increase each year.
If you have further questions please contact us either by email at ssadivor@amacfoundation.org or call (888)750-2622
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
how long must I be married to my Filipino wife before she cn collct my survivor benifet opon my death
Gregory,
You and your wife must be legally married for at least 9 months for her to become eligible for a Social Security survivor benefit from you. She must be legally present in the U.S. and must be at least 60 years old to collect her survivor benefit (or at least 50 if she is disabled). The amount of your wife’s survivor benefit will depend on her age when it is claimed; claimed at her full retirement age it will be 100% of the amount you were receiving (or eligible to receive) at your death; claimed before reaching her full retirement age (FRA), it will be actuarially reduced according to the number of months prior to her FRA she claims her survivor benefit (the reduction for claiming earlier is .396% per month early).
Russell Gloor
National Social Security Advisor
The AMAC Foundation
My wife passed away 2 weeks ago and her check was half of a portion of our bills etc.. I myself am on disability so what do I need to do to see about continue receiving the SSI check?
Danny
First, let me offer you my condolences on the loss of your wife. You are calling her benefit SSI (supplemental security income) which is not Social Security and would end upon your spouse’s death. If she was receiving her Social Security Retirement benefit, and her benefit payment was higher than the amount you are receiving on disability, you are eligible for her higher benefit at the time of her death and your own smaller benefit will end. You can not receive both benefits. If she was on Social Security and not SSI, you are also eligible for a one-time lump sum payment of $255.
You need to contact your local Social Security office and make an appointment to apply for survivor benefits on her record. Click on the following link to obtain the phone number: https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp
If you have further questions please contact us either by email at ssadivor@amacfoundation.org or call (888)750-2622
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
My husband was on disability at the time of his death in 2018. I had to wait unti I was 60. The VA is so confusing to work with for widow’s benefits. Thank you for making this easier to comprehend
My husband retired age 59,receiving social security benefits at age 62, but he died 2021.He is 10 years older than me,We’ve been married for almost 20 years.I am still working as a registered nurse.What a surviving wife like me can get from his SS benefits?I only got 255$ for his burial,Is that the only benefits am I entitled to?Pls help.
Josefina
You will become eligible for taking a survivor benefit on your husband’s record when you turn age 60. If you decide to take it at this time you will only receive 71.5% of his Primary Insurance Amount (PIA), which is equal to the amount he would have received at his full retirement (FRA) not what he received at age 62. As you are not 60 yet, that tells me you have an FRA of 67. There is something known as the “widow limit” which means if your spouse took his benefits early, such as at age 62 as your husband did, you will reach your maximum widow’s benefit of 82.5% of his PIA before you reach your FRA. You will reach your maximum survivor benefit at approximately 62 and 9 months.
However, you will be subject to an earnings limit until you reach your FRA of 67. The earnings limit for 2022 is $19,560. If you go over this limit Social Security will withhold $1 for every $2 you go over. This limit does tend to increase each year. In the year you reach your FRA the earnings limit increases by almost 2/3 and is $51,960 for 2022. If you go over this limit, Social Security will withhold $1 for every $3 you go over. Beginning the first of the month in which you reach your FRA, the earnings limit will end.
If your own benefit will be higher than your husband’s survivor benefit, you have the option to restrict your application to your survivor benefit only and allow your own retirement benefit to continue to grow up to the age of 70, or whenever it becomes higher and you choose to start it. Do not delay taking it beyond the age of 70 as it will no longer continue to grow.
You cannot apply for a survivor benefit online, you will need to contact your local Social Security office to make an appointment to either apply over the phone or to go into the office.
If you have further questions please contact us either by email at ssadivor@amacfoundation.org or call (888)750-2622
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
My husband retired age 59,receiving social security benefits at age 62, but he died 2021.He is 10 years older than me,We’ve been married for almost 20 years.I am still working as a registered nurse.What a surviving wife like me can get from his SS benefits?I only got 255$ for his burial.Pls help.Thanks.
My husband retired age 59,and died at 72,What can I get from his SSS if I am still working as a registered nurse.So far,i only got 255$ burial.PLs help.
My husband retired age 59,and died at 72,What can I get from his SSS if I am still working as a registered nurse.So far,i only got 255$ burial.
My husband was 74 when he passed 2 months ago – I am turning 64 next Thursday – I still even after reviewing the guidelines am confused as to what I will receive as a survivor as I am still working and have not taken my own benefits
Hello Miri,
As a survivor you are able to take a survivor benefit from your husband’s record and delay taking your own benefit anytime up until age 70, assuming your own benefit will be more at a later date. A word of caution: You are under your Full Retirement Age of 67 and still working so you would be subject to an annual earnings limit of $19,560.00 (monthly $1,630.00) in 2022. If you started your survivor benefit in September for example your earnings would have to be under $1,630.00 per month for the rest of this year to keep the benefit for that month. As of January 2023 the annual limit at that time would apply (it goes up a little each year). If you earn over the annual limit Social Security will take back $1.00 for every $2.00 you go over. Something else to consider is the survivor benefit at age 64 would be about 89% of your husband’s payment, whereas at age 67 it would be 100%. You may want to take the survivor benefit at 67 because of the earnings limit and the reduction. The earnings limit stops at your Full Retirement Age and you could let your own benefit grow until 70. Please let us know if you have further questions or need clarification.
I started collecting widows benefit in 2018 (I was 62 and 2 months then) when my husband passed away. I am now 66 and 6 months old. If I decide to get remarried will I be able to keep this benefit? If not what happens next for me?
Charlene
If you decide to get remarried, you will be allowed to keep your current survivor benefit on your deceased husband as you have passed your 60th birthday. If in the future should you become eligible for a higher benefit on your new spouse’s record you will be able to switch to the new higher benefit. Once you are married for 12 months you would become eligible for a spousal benefit on your new spouse’s record if it is higher than your current survivor benefit. If you should survive your new spouse, and their benefit is higher than your current benefit, and you have been married for at least nine months, you would then be eligible for their higher benefit.
If you have further questions please contact us either by email at ssadivor@amacfoundation.org or call (888)750-2622
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
I receive 1901.00 per month from my husbands ssdi, How much can I make and not have to pay back
Jacquelyn
You do not mention your age, and the earnings limit you are subject to depends on your current age. if you are under your full retirement age (FRA) the current earnings limit for 2022 is $19,560 annually. equivalent to $1.630 per month. If you go over this limit Social Security will withhold $1 for every $2 you go over. In the year you are turning your FRA the earnings limit for 2022 is $51,960 annually, equivalent to $4.330 per month. If you go over this limit Social Security will withhold $1 for every $3 you go over. In the month your reach your FRA you are no longer subject to an earnings limit. These limits are based are your gross income on your W-2 before any withholdings, or on your net income from self-employment. The limits tend to increase each year, so they may be higher in 2023. Social Security does not reduce your payment if you go over the earnings limit, they withhold payments until the overpayment is paid back.
If you have further questions please contact us either by email at ssadivor@amacfoundation.org or call (888)750-2622
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA®
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
My husband (72) died 10-`4-21 and with everything going on I did not get to the social Security office until today with proof of marriage. Does social security back date claims to date of death? we were married over 9 months and I am 68.
Joyce:
Thank you for your question. Since you are past your Full Retirement Age you can request 6 months of retroactive benefits. This is the most Social Security will pay.
If you have further questions please contact us either by email at ssadivor@amacfoundation.org or call (888)750-2622
Arlene Sharp
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
My American husband passed in Dec 2020, aged 74. We have been living in Israel for the last 40 years. Am I or his children entitled to any benefits from the USA?
Cherry
If your husband was receiving Social Security benefits at the time of his death (or was eligible to receive them), and you lived with him as his wife in the United States for at least five years you are eligible for a survivor benefit on his Social Security record. If you have reached your full retirement age, which depends on your year of birth, it would be between 66 and 67 years old, you will receive 100% of his benefit amount at the time of his death.
For any of your children to be eligible for survivor benefits they would have to be 18 years old or younger (up to age 19 if still in school in grade 12 or less).
If you never lived in the United States with your husband and have never obtained a Social Security number, you would not be eligible for any benefits on your deceased husband’s Social Security record unless you moved to the United States for at least 5 years as a widow. You would also have to obtain a Social Security number.
If you meet the requirements to receive a survivor benefit, contact the U.S. Embassy in Israel to apply for your Social Security benefits. To follow is a link to their website: https://il.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/social-security/
If you have further questions please contact us either by email at ssadivor@amacfoundation.org or call (888)750-2622
Sharon Kleczka
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
This will be very helpful I believe as I continue on as a senior.
My oldest son brians dad passed away in 2007. Is he entitled to benefits?
Melissa
I can not answer your question as asked. Is your son still under age 18, or under 19 if still in high school? Or was he declared disabled before the age of 22? Did his father qualify for Social Security benefits? If the answer to either of the first two questions is yes, and his father qualified for Social Security benefits, he is most likely eligible and would have been in 2007. However, if your son is eligible for benefits on his deceased father’s record, he can only receive six months of retroactive benefits.
If your son is a qualifying dependent, contact Social Security by calling (800) 772-1213 or contacting your local Social Security office to apply for benefits for him.
If you have further questions please contact us either by email at ssadivor@amacfoundation.org or call (888)750-2622
Sharon Kleczka
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
Civil partner (same sex registered partnership since August 25th 2015 who was drawing on Social security (75 years old) died tragically. on 30th October this year. Will I be eligible for a survivor’s benefit when I reach the age 60?
Our AMAC Foundation advisors received your inquiry as to whether you may become entitled to Social Security survivor benefits under your partner’s earnings record once you are 60 or older. It is very possible for you to receive survivor benefits under your Civil Union partner once you reach age 60 and older. There are some requirements that must be met such as not being married to someone else when you turn 60 and whether you are employed and earning over a certain yearly income limit set by SSA. That earnings limit for 2022 is $19,560 and keeps increasing each year. If one plans on earning more than this limit, SSA would withhold $1 of one’s Social Security benefit for every $2 earned over the limit. We can certainly explore this issue later if this is of great importance as you near your 60th birthday. The importance of contacting SSA as you get closer to your 60th birthday is of the essence since laws can change as well as certain requirements for benefits. You can reach SSA at their national number, 1-800-772-1213.
Much has changed regarding same-sex couples and their entitlement to benefits off of each other’s records since June 2015. I’m including a few links below from SSA’s website that addresses your question and what SSA needs with an application for benefits since 2015.
https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-17-019.pdf
https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10014.pdf
Ken Baron
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
I am 70 years old and my wife is 60 Can she file for part of my benefit when she reaches 62? She may continue to work after 62. If she is eligible how much will she receive? Thank You
Stephen,
Your wife can file for Social Security when she is 62, but any benefit she is entitled to will be permanently reduced. She cannot file for only “part of” your benefit without also applying for her personal SS retirement benefit, and doing so at 62 will mean a permanently reduced amount. Also, applying at 62 means she’ll be subject to Social Security’s “earning test” which limits how much she can earn while collecting early benefits. The earnings limit for 2023 will be $21,240 and if that is exceeded Social Security will take away benefits equal to $1 for every $2 she is over the limit (half of what she exceeds the limit by). At 62, her own benefit would be cut by 30% from what it would be at her full retirement age (FRA). At 62, any spousal benefit she would be entitled to would also be reduced by about 35%. So, if your wife claims at 62 she will be claiming both her own reduced SS retirement benefit and her reduced spousal benefit, and the amount of her benefits will not change thereafter (except for Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA).
Russell Gloor
National Social Security Advisor
The AMAC Foundation
Can I 35 year old widow with 2 children, already receiving social security death benefits, have money in a savings or investment such as a 401K or an IRA and not be penalized with her benefits? She also has property and income from gas on her property.
Joan,
Yes, a widow collecting child-in-care survivor benefits from Social Security can have money in savings and investments and can also have income-producing property without jeopardizing their Social Security benefit. This would be known as “passive income” and Social Security’s earnings limit would not apply. Such limitations on household income would apply only to means-tested Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, not to standard Social Security survivor benefits. I assume you are aware that if the children are minors (under 18) they can also collect a survivor benefit from their deceased father, although the Family Maximum may limit how much can be received by all of the deceased’s dependents.
Russell Gloor
National Social Security Advisor
The AMAC Foundation
Harry passed away 8/10/2022. I am not receiving his SS. How do I do that.
Mary:
Our condolences on Harry’s passing.
Without knowing the specific information on your personal situation(age, working history, etc.), we can only explain the general rules regarding spousal benefits. Your benefit entitlement as your husband’s surviving spouse depends on how your own current Social Security benefit compares to the benefit your husband was entitled to on his own while he was living. Here are the rules for survivor benefits:
• If the surviving spouse’s own Social Security retirement benefit is more than the deceased spouse’s Social Security retirement benefit, the surviving spouse does not get a survivor benefit.
• If the surviving spouse’s benefit is less than the deceased spouse’s own Social Security retirement benefit, then the surviving spouse gets the higher of the two benefits.
• If the surviving spouse has reached full retirement age (FRA), the surviving spouse gets 100% of the Social Security retirement benefit the deceased was entitled to at death, instead of the survivor’s own smaller benefit.
• If the surviving spouse has not yet reached FRA and is entitled to a surviving spouse benefit, there are two options:
o Claim a reduced survivor benefit (the reduction will be about 4.75% for each full year earlier than FRA the survivor benefit is claimed), or
o Delay claiming the survivor benefit until the survivor reaches full retirement age and becomes eligible for 100% of the deceased spouse’s SS retirement benefit.
• If you are entitled to a benefit as a surviving spouse, you will need to contact Social Security directly to apply for it.
In any case, as your wife’s surviving spouse you are entitled to a one-time lump-sum death benefit of $255, which you will also need to contact Social Security directly to obtain. You can either call you local Social Security office, or the national service center at 1.800.772.1213 to get the death benefit.
You also might want to check out this informative page on the SSA’s website for additional information: https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/survivors/ifyou.html#h1.
We know this might be a lot to process, so if you have any additional questions or if we can help you navigate the steps, please feel free to contact our Social Security Advisory Service at 888-750-2622 or via email at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org. The service is provided free of charge.
Thanks for contacting us.
Gerry Hafer
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
Hi Ms Kleczka
I am 62 and working full time. My salary is way above the income limit for any body hoping to qualify for even a portion of a deceased spousal social security.
I can qualify for my deceased wife’s social security but not 4 years.
Is there any sort of hardship program where I can at least try and apply early for my wife’s social security?
Or do I have to quit my job?
Here is the reason for the hardship. My wife needed care while I was working. For 8 years. This care was paid out of our savings. Insurance would not Pick it up.
Randy
First, let me offer you my condolences on the loss of your wife. Unfortunately, there are no exceptions or hardship clauses for taking survivor benefits early and not being subject to the earnings limit.
The earnings limit doesn’t end until you reach your full retirement age (FRA). The earnings limit increases to $21,240 annually in 2023, equivalent to $1,770 per month. This is based on your gross earnings before any deductions, including health insurance and 401K contributions. If you go over this limit Social Security will withhold $1 for every $2 you go over. In the year reach your FRA of 67, the earnings limit increases by almost 2/3. In 2023. The earnings limit for someone reaching their FRA this year is $56,520. These limits tend to increase each year.
When you are no longer subject to the earnings limit or are under the earnings limit, you have the option to file for either your survivor benefit or your own retirement benefit first. Your survivor benefit reaches its maximum at your FRA so you would not want to delay taking it beyond that time. Your own benefit will grow up to age 70, if you choose to let it, and would increase by an additional 24%. If you were to decide to reduce your earnings to take your survivor benefit at this time, your survivor benefit would be reduced by almost 20%.
Before making your decision and applying for either benefit, you should determine which benefit will be the highest benefit available to you for the rest of your life. After determining that, if you decide to start either benefit early, you may want to consider starting the smaller of the two first, as it sounds as if you are going to be more dependent on your Social Security benefits than you had originally planned for.
If you have further questions please contact us either by email at ssadivor@amacfoundation.org or call (888)750-2622
Sharon Kleczka
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
My first husband of 16 years has passed away recently. (Ronald Joe Berry) My second husband had passed away on !-23-2017. His name is Robert Lee Loe.I am 79 years old and presently drawing my SS on Robert Lee Loe’s SS. Do I qualify to draw on Ronald Joe Berry’s SS?
Beverly
If your first husband’s Social Security benefit is higher than Robert’s benefit, you are eligible to receive Ronald’s Social Security. You will not receive both benefits; only whichever benefit is higher.
Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or call your local office to find out if you are eligible for a higher Social Security benefit on your first husband. If you are, Social Security will give you up to six months of retroactive benefits of the difference between the two benefits depending on when your first husband passed away.
If you have further questions please contact us either by email at ssadivor@amacfoundation.org or call (888)750-2622
Sharon Kleczka
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
My husband passed away in 2009 (I was 36 yrs old and we had been married for 11 yrs) and I was told that due to my salary, I was not able to collect any SS benefits at the time. My kids were able to collect benefits at the time. Due to my employment, ( similar to first responders) I am able to retire at 50 yrs, can I then collect SS benefits from my spouse until I turn 62 yrs?
Martha
You will not become eligible for a survivor benefit until you are at least 60 years old and are single at that time, or wait until after your 60th birthday to remarry. At that time you will become eligible for a survivor benefit equal to 71.5% of your deceased husband’s benefit at his time of death, including any cost of living increases since 2009. If your own benefit will eventually be higher than your survivor’s benefit, you will be able to apply for your own benefit at any time up to your age of 70 when it quits growing. If you have not yet filed for your survivor benefit when you turn 62, you have the option to restrict your application to the benefit of your choice first at a reduced rate and allow the benefit that will eventually be higher to continue to grow. Your survivor benefit will quit growing at your full retirement age (FRA), which is currently age 67 so do not delay taking it beyond then. You would want to verify your FRA at that time as there is a discussion in Congress to increase the FRA for people born after 1960.
When you are ready to apply for your survivor benefits you will need to call your local Social Security office and make an appointment. You are not able to apply for survivor benefits online at this time. As Social Security rules are known to change from time to time once again you would want to verify your options for applying for survivor benefits.
If you should decide to go back to work, there is an earnings limit on the amount you can earn and receive your benefits. It is currently $21,240 for 2023, but this limit tends to increase each year. Once again you would want to verify that limit if you are or plan on starting either Social Security benefit that is available to you.
If you have further questions please contact us either by email at ssadvisor@amacfoundation.org or call (888)750-2622
Sharon Kleczka
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
I feel unfairly treated when it comes to receiving social security spousal widow benefits because I received my Federal retirement. Every year when get increase they lower by social security. They don’t do that to others
I worked 40 quarters u der social security also which I receive small amount. Then social security said 4 tears they overpaid me. I o lying received $144 from my husband account. I can not come up with the totals. But, no one will help. I even tried to pay a lawyer. No ne would take it because government takes long time and only take disability cases. How unfair. Then being discrimated because if I was a veteran or in SSI they would set up face to face but not if you are retired federal service worker and state retirement.
But, I ask over and over again to have starting figures. Because I used the figures they gave me.
Sandra
I understand your frustration with your survivor benefit being reduced due to your receiving a government pension. When your husband passed away and you applied for your survivor benefit, it became subject to the Government Pension Offset (GPO). The way Social Security calculates how much your survivor benefit should be reduced is by multiplying your gross pension (before any reductions for health ins, taxes, etc.) times two-thirds (.667), and deducting that amount from survivor benefit. If an amount remains (GPO can actually zero out a survivor benefit) they give you that amount if it is higher than your own WEP (Windfall Elimination Provision) reduced retirement benefit. So each year, when you receive a cost of living increase to your government pension, Social Security recalculates the GPO reduction being applied to your survivor benefit on the new gross amount. then Social Security applies the Social Security cost of living increase for the year to that amount.
You can contact your local Social Security office and request of printout of all the Survivor Benefit payments that you have received to date. To try to determine if your payments have been correct, you would also need the monthly gross amount of your government pension each year. The amount of your survivor benefit should be the amount left over after the two-third reduction of the gross amount of your government pension is applied.
The government pension offset is the result of the determination by Congress that a person receiving a pension from employment that didn’t pay into Social Security and a full Social Security benefit was “double-dipping.” This is based on the fact that when a couple both work and pay into Social Security when one spouse passes, the surviving spouse only gets to keep the higher of the two Social Security benefits they receive, and the smaller benefit ends. If you feel strongly that this isn’t right, contact your local Congress Person and tell them to support a bill repealing the GPO.
If you have further questions please contact us either by email at ssadivor@amacfoundation.org or call (888)750-2622
Sharon Kleczka
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
My wife of 40 years just passed away. Her Social Security was higher than mine. I am 76 and have been receiving since I was eligible. Am I entitled to any Survivor adjustment?
Michael,
We are sorry to hear about the loss of your wife. Since the surviving spouse keeps the higher of the two benefits, you will be eligible to collect the amount of her payment and your own smaller payment will stop. Contact Social Security at 800-772-1213 to set up a time for a phone or in person appointment. Also, ask to apply for the one time lump sum death benefit of $255.00.
If you have further questions please contact us either by email at ssadivor@amacfoundation.org or call (888)750-2622
Arlene Sharp
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
My spouse (wife) lower income & I higher income have a question. If wife retires at age 62 & starts collecting SS & I continue working until full retirement age 67 1/2 & then retire. If I die at age 69, how is the survives benefit calculated. Is on my age at dead or wife’s age at retirement?
Carl
If your wife decides to start her own retirement benefits early at age 62, it will not affect the amount of her survivor benefit based on your record. For example, should you die at age 69, if your wife has reached her full retirement age (FRA) she will receive 100% of the amount of your benefit at your time of death, and her own smaller benefit will end. If she has not yet reached her FRA and decides to take your higher benefit at that time, her survivor benefit will be reduced according to the age she is at the time.
If you have further questions please contact us either by email at ssadvisor@amacfoundation.org or call (888)750-2622.
Sharon Kleczka RSSA
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
I have been drawing Widow’s pension on my deceased husbands account since I turned 60; I have continued to work until I turned 70; can I switch to my own benefits? How do I go about it if this is possible?
60
Pam
You became eligible for your full age 70 retirement benefit on the first of the month in which you turned 70, or the month before if you were born on the 1st of the month. You have three options for applying. If you have a MySocialSecurity account online, you may apply for your own higher retirement benefit online. If you are beyond age 70, you may backdate the start date of your own benefits up to six months, or to the month you turned 70 if it is less than six months. Social Security will most likely offer you six months of retroactive benefits, regardless of the month you turned 70, for the difference between your survivor benefits and your benefits. This could reduce your benefit by up to 4%, depending on how many months you are beyond your 70th birthday. If you turned 70 more than six months ago, it will not reduce your benefit at all, but they will only go back six months, regardless of your current age.
If you do not have a MySocialSecurity account online and would like to create one to file online, use the following link to create an account: https://secure.ssa.gov/RIL/SiView.action If you prefer you can make an appointment for applying in person or over the phone with your local Social Security office. The general number for Social Security is 800-775-1213 if you do not know your local office number.
If you have further questions please contact us at ssadvisor@amacfoundation.org or 888-750-2622.
Sharon Kleczka RSSA
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
My first husband died in 1995 at 33 yrs. We were married for nine years and he earned quite a bit since he was 23 yrs. old. I .remarried three years later but divorced two years after. The ex passed away when my son was young and we received survivor benefits. Am I eligible for any social security for my first husband? He earned three to four times more than I did as a teacher.
Helen
As you were married at the time of your first husband’s death, and you are currently single, you are entitled to a survivor benefit based on his Social Security record if it is higher than your own Social Security benefit when you reach 60 years old.
You mention you are a teacher, how much you are eligible to receive depends on whether or not you paid into the Social Security system while you were teaching. If you paid into the Social Security system your entire teaching career, you will not be subject to the Government Pension Offset (GPO). You will be eligible for 100% of his benefit at the time of his death if you have reached your full retirement age (FRA). If you have not yet reached your FRA, your survivor benefit would be reduced according to your age. If you taught in a school system that did not pay into the Social Security system, and you are eligible for a pension through them, you will be subject to the GPO. If this is the case, Social Security would reduce your survivor benefit by two-thirds of your gross pension.
If you have further questions please contact us at ssadvisor@amacfoundation.org or 888-750-2622.
Sharon Kleczka RSSA
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
My wife and I are teachers. I currently draw my social security monthly check. I am 72 years of age. Both of us currently teach full-time. My wife at present has not earned enough credits.
1. When I die will she be able to continue drawing my social security check?
2. Is she eligible for all benefits for which I am eligible?
Ray
Whenever someone says they are teachers, my question is do you teach in a position that pays into both Social Security and the TRS.? This makes a big difference in how to respond to your questions.
You do mention you are both still teaching, does this mean neither one of you are eligible for taking your pensions at this time? You do not mention your wife’s age, is she at least 62? As she is not eligible for benefits on her own record yet, this leads me to believe that she does not pay into Social Security. If this is the case, she will be subject to the Government Pension Offset (GPO) on both her spousal benefit and her survivor benefit. Social Security will reduce either one of those benefits by two-thirds of her gross pension. The GPO can actually zero these benefits out.
If she has reached at least 62 and is not eligible for her pension as she is still working, she is eligible for a spousal benefit based on 50% of your full retirement age (FRA) benefit amount. If she has reached her FRA, she would receive a benefit equal to 50% of your FRA amount. As she is still working, and if she is not eligible to receive her pension until she retires, she can apply for this benefit and receive it unreduced at this time, unless she has not reached her FRA, then it will be reduced according to her age. When she finally retires and starts taking her pension, it would then be reduced by the GPO.
If she is paying into the Social Security system, she will not be affected by the GPO and will receive full spousal and survivor benefits.
As you are also teaching, if you are not paying into Social Security, and if you do not have 30 years of substantial earnings, when you retire and start taking your pension, your benefit will be subject to the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and be reduced accordingly. Any spousal benefit your wife is eligible for would be based on that reduced amount, however, her survivor benefit would be based on the full amount of your Social Security benefit at the time of your death.
If you have further questions please contact us at ssadvisor@amacfoundation.org or 888-750-2622.
Sharon Kleczka RSSA
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
My husband of 8 years just passed away Christmas Day 2022. He retired at 70 yrs old and was receiving maximum payment. When I applied for survivor’s benefits, I was told I could only get 75% of his Social Security. I thought it would be 100% Why would they only give me 75%?
Barbara
First, let me offer you my condolences on the loss of your husband. You do not mention your age, which would be a determining factor of the amount you would receive from your husband’s Social Security benefit at the time of his death. If you have reached your full retirement age (FRA) you will receive 100% of your husband’s benefit at the time of his death. If you are under your FRA, the benefit amount will be reduced according to your age at the time you apply for it. A surviving spouse can receive their survivor benefits as early as age 60 (50 if disabled) but you would only receive 71.5% of their benefit at that time.
If you are at least 62 and are also eligible for a Social Security benefit on your record, and are not yet receiving it, you have the option to file a restricted application to receive the benefit of your choice, while allowing the benefit that will eventually be the highest, to continue to grow. Your own benefit will max out at age 70 and your survivor benefit will max out at your FRA. It is recommended, if financially affordable, to apply for the benefit that will always be smaller first.
If you start any benefit before you reach your FRA, you will be subject to an earnings limit. The earnings limit for 2023 is $21, 240 annually, or $1.770 per month. This is based on your gross income before any deductions. If you go over the earnings limit your benefits will be reduced by $1 for every $2 you go over. In the year you reach your FRA, the earnings limit goes up to $51, 960 annually, or $4,710 per month. If you go over this earnings limit, Social Security will withhold $1 for every $3 you go over. This limit tends to increase each year.
If you have further questions please contact us at ssadvisor@amacfoundation.org or 888-750-2622.
Sharon Kleczka RSSA
AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
I was 65 when I retired my wife started SS at 62, when I die how much will she be entittled to from my SS?
Gerald
If your wife has reached her full retirement age (FRA) at the time of your death, she will receive 100% of your benefit at your time of death if it is higher than her own Social Security benefit. If she has not yet reached her FRA at the time of your death, and she applies for her survivor benefits, they will be reduced according to her age at the time she applies.
If you have further questions please contact us at ssadvisor@amacfoundation.org or 888-750-2622.
Sharon Kleczka RSSA
AMAC Foundation
I worked for a school district that did not withhold social security. I am receiving benefits through my husbands social security number. He has passed away recently. Can I claim widows benefits even if I have retirement through the school district?
Rose
First, let me offer you my condolences on the loss of your spouse. When someone teaches in a school system that does not pay into Social Security, their survivor benefits are affected by the Government Pension Offset (GPO). If you are receiving a pension based on earnings from a position that did not pay into Social Security, your survivor benefits will be reduced by two-thirds of the gross pension you receive. Social Security will reduce your survivor benefit by multiplying .667 (2/3) times your gross pension, then subtracting that amount from your Social Security survivor benefit. If there is a balance remaining, and it is higher than your own Social Security benefit, (f you are eligible for one), that is the amount you will receive for your survivor benefit. The GPO can zero out a survivor benefit.
So, whether you are eligible for a survivor benefit depends on the amount of your pension from the school district.
If you have further questions please contact us at ssadvisor@amacfoundation.org or 888-750-2622.
Sharon Kleczka RSSA
AMAC Foundation
Hi Sharon, I forgot to mention that I retired at FRA of 65 and started receiving benefits then. I am currently 73 yrs old. Should I get the 100% rather than 75%?
Barbara
A surviving spouse that has reached their full retirement age (FRA) is entitled to 100% of the amount of their deceased spouse’s benefit at the time of their death as long as it is higher than their own benefit. You previously mentioned that your husband retired at age 70 and was receiving his maximum benefit. If he did not start taking his Social Security benefits until he turned 70, you are entitled to 100% of his benefit at his time of death including all the delayed retirement credits (DRCs) he earned.
I recommend you contact Social Security and speak with a different representative. If they tell you again that you will receive less than 100% of his benefit, ask them to explain why. If you are not satisfied with their explanation ask to speak with a supervisor.
If you have further questions please contact us at ssadvisor@amacfoundation.org or 888-750-2622.
Sharon Kleczka RSSA
AMAC Foundation
My wife passed away in 2018. Because we had a disabled child, she received Social Security Survivor Benefits and I received Survivor Benefits Caring for a disabled child. I recently remarried and Social Security notified me that I am now longer eligible for benefits. When we both were receiving benefits, we each received 1/2 of the calculated family maximum. Will Social Security now increase my daughter’s benefits since only one person is now in the calculation of the family maximum?
Ron,
Yes, now that you are no longer receiving “Child in Care surviving spouse benefits” your disabled child’s benefit amount will increase to be 75% of the SS benefit your wife was entitled to at her death. The SS maximum benefit for a surviving child is 75% of the deceased parent’s full SS benefit.
Russell Gloor
National Social Security Advisor
The AMAC Foundation
My husband just passed at age 70, I am 62 and working full time. I am a teacher so when I retire I have STRS. I doubt I will get much SSI even though I have my 40 quarters. Will I continue to get any of his SSI now?
Georgia,
Condolences on the loss of your husband.
Since you’re not yet receiving your STRS pension, you’re not yet affected by Social Security’s Government Pension Offset (GPO), so you are technically eligible for a Social Security survivor benefit from your husband, except for one thing – Social Security’s “earnings test.” The earnings test limits how much you can earn while collecting benefits before reaching your full retirement age (FRA). The earnings limit for 2023 is $21,240 and if that is exceeded Social Security will take away benefits equal to $1 for every $2 you are over the limit (half of what you exceed the limit by). Often, those working full time are temporarily ineligible to collect early SS benefits because their SS benefit is insufficient to offset the penalty for exceeding the limit within a year. Thus, if your earnings from working are high enough, Social Security will say you’re not eligible for benefits until you either reach your full retirement age, or your work earnings are much lower (the earnings test goes away when you reach your FRA).
However, there is an additional complication: The aforementioned GPO will become effective as soon as you retire from teaching and start your STRS pension. The GPO will cut any survivor benefit you are entitled to from your husband by 2/3rds of the amount of you STRS pension, which will either drastically reduce and possibly eliminate any benefit you’re entitled to from your deceased husband. Further, your STRS pension will also cause a reduction to any SS retirement benefit you separately earned (from working outside the STRS program). This is the result of another rule known as the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) which applies whenever someone has a pension earned without contributing to the Social Security program (as with STRS). WEP reduces your SS retirement benefit amount based on the actual number of years you have contributing to SS, as I explained in this published article:
http://www.socialsecurityreport.org/ask-rusty-computing-benefits-when-wep-applies/
So, in your current status (working full time) it’s unlikely you will be able to collect a survivor benefit from your deceased husband. And if you stop working and start your STRS pension any survivor benefit you’re entitled to will be cut by 2/3rds of the amount of your STRS pension, which will either eliminate or drastically reduce your Social Security survivor benefit.
Russell Gloor
National Social Security Advisor
The AMAC Foundation
This past May, i got remarried. My new husband, a widower has a disabled adult daughter. Once we married I quit my job, moved into his home and became her primary caregiver while my husband remained her primary financial support. He provides more than half of her financial support. He recently turned 62 and applied for Social Security Retirement Benefits. I am 59. Am I eligible to file and obtain benefits based on his income since I provide most of her care even though I don’t supply financial support? Thank you.
Elizabeth,
If the daughter is now receiving SS benefits as a disabled adult child on your husband’s record, as her caregiver and your husband’s spouse, you will become entitled to “child in care” benefits after you have been married for at least one year. But if the daughter is now receiving survivor benefits as her deceased mother’s disabled adult child (and not receiving benefits from your husband’s record), then you will not be eligible for early child-in-care benefits as your husband’s spouse. Whether you provide financial support for the child is irrelevant in this case; rather, the daughter must be receiving SS benefits on your husband’s record for you to be eligible for child-in-care spousal benefits at age 59. You would, however, become eligible for regular (reduced) spousal benefits from your husband at age 62.
Russell Gloor
National Social Security Advisor
The AMAC Foundation
My husband retired at his FRA and is in receipt of his social security benefit as of September 2022. I am 65 y.o. Will I be eligible for 100% of my husband’s social security benefit at the time of death if I reach my FRA at that time, if I decide to apply for the reduced spousal benefit now?
Viola,
When you apply for your own Social Security retirement benefit and your spousal benefit while both of you are living have no bearing on what your survivor benefit will be if your husband dies before you. If you have already reached your full retirement age when you claim your surviving spouse benefit as a widow, you will get 100% of the benefit your husband was receiving at his death instead of the smaller amount you were previously receiving.
Russell Gloor
National Social Security Advisor
The AMAC Foundation
My wife took early Social Security at age 62. I am not drawing and won’t until I am at least 66. Would I receive a surivor benefit on her if she were to pass away before I retired?
Hello Dave,
If your wife passed away before you retired and you were at least 60 years of age, you could collect survivor benefits on her record and let your own benefit grow until age 70 or whenever you decided to take it. Please consider – if you are working and earning over $21.240.00 (2023 limit) Social Security would take back $1.00 for every $2.00 you were over the earnings limit.
The earnings limit stops when you reach your Full Retirement Age.
Please contact our free Social Security Advisory Service at 888-750-2622 if we can be of any further assistance.
Arlene Sharp
AMAC Foundation, Inc.
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
Can a surviving widow spouse continue to receive both Social Security checks for herself and deceased husband if losing his check will cause her to lose her home? 50 plus year marriage ages 78 and 82 My mother was told she could.
Karen
First, let me offer you my condolences. Unfortunately, your mother was told incorrectly. When one spouse passes away, the surviving spouse only gets to keep the higher of the two Social Security benefits they were receiving, and the smaller benefit stops. If her husband’s benefit is the highest she will receive his higher benefit and her smaller benefit will stop. If his benefit was smaller, she will only continue to receive her own.
The only month she will be able to keep both benefit payments, is the month of his death, as the payments for actually for the month before.
If you have further questions please contact us at ssadvisor@amacfoundation.org or 888-750-2622.
Sharon Kleczka RSSA
AMAC Foundation
I’m a Filipino and a widow of a US Citizen. I need to know how will I qualify for a survivor benefits from SSS. He passed away back in Jan 29, 1995 at the age of 67 in the Philippines. We were married in June 1990. I was 27 at that time he died and I never remarried since then. He left me 2 minor children which qualified for SSS benefits up until age 18. If granting I am qualified for some widows benefits under his account, do I have to live in the US to receive such benefits? or is there a residence requirement before I can receive such benefits. Again, I’m a non-citizen widow of a US citizen living abroad. Kindly give me some light on this issue. Big thanks in advance.
Glady
If you have never lived in the United States, you would not be eligible for a survivor benefit from his Social Security record at this time. You must meet the “Additional residency requirements for dependents and survivors.”
“You are a citizen of a country for which Social Security requires dependents and survivors to meet additional residency requirements, you will have to show that you lived in the United States for at least five years. During those five years, you must have been in the family relationship on which we based your benefits.” If you lived in the United States as the wife of the deceased for at least 5 years, they do not have to be consecutive, you qualify to receive a survivor benefit in the Philippines. https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10137.pdf If you do not meet the 5-year requirement, and have not remarried, you can move to the United States, as his widow, until you meet the 5-year requirement to receive Social Security survivor benefits.
If you have further questions please contact us at ssadvisor@amacfoundation.org or 888-750-2622.
Sharon Kleczka RSSA
AMAC Foundation
Was there a time when a couple had to be married 15 years, instead of ten, before the wife could receive the husband’s Social Secuity if they divorced?
Mary
The eligibility for ex-spouses to receive benefits was never 15 years. Divorced spouses first became eligible for benefits on an ex-spouse in 1965 if they were married for at least 20 years. Then in 1977, they reduced the length of marriage requirement to 10 years.
If you have further questions please contact us at ssadvisor@amacfoundation.org or 888-750-2622.
Sharon Kleczka RSSA
AMAC Foundation
I am 77 and retired. My wife died last March and her social security stopped. I take care of our adult handicapped step son. He receives SSDI. Given this information am I due anything from her social security?
Bob
First, let me offer you my condolences on the loss of your wife. If your wife’s Social Security benefit was higher than your own Social Security benefit at the time of her death, you would now be eligible to receive her higher Social Security benefit. If it was smaller than your own, you are still eligible for the one-time lump-sum death benefit of $255. If you have not yet claimed this benefit, you need to contact Social Security to apply for it.
You do not mention if your adult handicapped stepson was disabled or not before age 22. Therefore, I don’t know if he is receiving his SSDI based on either your or your wife’s Social Security record. If by chance your wife’s benefit was higher than your own, and he is receiving benefits under your Social Security record, he would also be eligible for a higher benefit under her record. If he should be receiving a benefit under your wife’s record, and hers is the smaller benefit, if he lives with you, he would be eligible for a higher benefit under your record (if he was disabled before age 22).
If you have further questions please contact us at ssadvisor@amacfoundation.org or 888-750-2622.
Sharon Kleczka RSSA
AMAC Foundation
can i collect from my x wifes ss i was married to her for 34yrs
Greg
You do meet the length of marriage requirement to collect on your ex-wife. There are two circumstances when you can qualify on an ex-spouse’s Social Security record.
To be eligible for a spousal benefit (while they are alive) 50% of their full retirement age (FRA) benefit must be larger than 100% of your FRA benefit amount. If you have reached your FRA, your benefit amount will be increased to equal 50% of your ex-wife’s FRA benefit amount, regardless of what age she took her own benefit. If you qualify for a spousal benefit and take it before your FRA, it will be reduced according to your age. To find out whether or not you qualify for a spousal benefit, you need to call your local Social Security office and ask if you qualify for one, and if they say you do, ask if you are receiving it. If you are not yet receiving your own retirement benefits, and you qualify for one, it will automatically be applied when you start your own retirement benefits.
If your ex-wife is deceased, you may qualify for a survivor benefit on her record. To qualify for a survivor benefit, it depends on whether or not you are taking your own retirement benefits yet. If you are already receiving your retirement benefits, her benefit at the time of her death will have to be higher than your own benefits. If you are not taking your own benefits yet, and are at least age 60, single, or did not remarry until after your 60th birthday, you do have the option to file for a survivor benefit. If you have already reached the age of 62, you have the option to file a restricted application to file for the benefit of your choice first. You would want to know the amount of the two benefits available to you, your survivor benefit and your own FRA benefit amount. You have to option to choose to file for either one first at a reduced rate and allow the other benefit to grow. The survivor benefit would quit growing at your FRA, whereas you can allow your own retirement benefit to grow up to age 70.
Survivor benefits can not be applied for online, you will need to call your local Social Security office and make an appointment to apply for it. If you have not yet reached your FRA you will also be subject to an earnings limit until you do. The earnings limit for 2023 is $21,240 annually or $1.770 per month. If you go over this limit Social Security will withhold $1 for every $2 you go over. In the year you reach your FRA the limit increases. If you reach your FRA age the limit is $56.520 annually or $4,710 per month. If you go over this limit Social Security will reduce your benefit by $1 for every $3 you go over.
If you have further questions please contact us at ssadvisor@amacfoundation.org or 888-750-2622.
Sharon Kleczka RSSA
AMAC Foundation
My siblings are questioning my mother about my deceased father’s ssi. He retired from work but passed before he was able to collect. It was 25 years ago. Is my mother able to apply for his benefits if they would have been higher and if so, is she able to collect for the entire time. Thank you for your assistance.
Karen
You are saying your father’s “SSI”, which is Supplemental Security Income, which is not Social Security and there are no benefits available, I am presuming you are speaking about his Social Security Retirement benefits. As your father was not yet collecting his Social Security benefits at the time of his death, the amount would have been determined on the date of his death. If he had not yet reached his full retirement age (FRA), his benefit amount would have been based on his FRA.
I do not know how old your mother was 25 years ago, or currently. A surviving spouse becomes eligible for a survivor benefit at age 60 if they are currently still single. They also remain eligible for a survivor benefit on their deceased spouse if they don’t remarry before their 60th birthday, or once again are single after.
A surviving spouse receives 100% of their deceased spouse’s benefit if they wait until their FRA to claim it. If they claim it before that time the amount will be reduced according to their age. In order for a surviving spouse to be able to receive a survivor benefit the amount must be larger than their own retirement benefit if they are already collecting it. Your mother needs to contact her local Social Security office to apply for her survivor benefit. Social Security will add all the cost of living increases to his amount since he passed away 25 years ago. If she is eligible as the amount is larger than what she is currently receiving, she will receive his higher benefit and her own smaller benefit will end. She will only be able to receive 6 months of retroactive benefits, the difference between her own benefit and his higher benefit.
If it turns out her own benefit is higher than your father’s benefit, she will not be able to receive any benefits on his record.
If you have further questions please contact us at ssadvisor@amacfoundation.org or 888-750-2622.
Sharon Kleczka RSSA
AMAC Foundation
My husband is 62 and has a terminal illness. He will probably die in 5 yrs at 67-FRA. He does not collect SS at this time. he is eligible for about $3800 at FRA in 5 years. I am 58 and have a lower SS about $1800 at FRA in 9 years. I am healthy, have good genes and expect to live to 90. I am confused as to when I should collect SS for both my hubby and I. Originally before his terminal diagnosis we were going to wait until my hubby turned 67 and I was 62 and I would collect my benefits as 50% of his and reduced for taking SS early for me. Now I am confused. to me now the best strategy is still to let his grow and I take widows benefits at FRA, but that means he will not claim. Can my husband claim SS on my work record and leave his to grow to maximize my widows benefit? Or if he applies for spousal benefits on my SS record, will his automatically go to his SS record because it is higher than mine
Cat
You certainly have a lot of important decisions to make. If your husband is no longer working due to his health, have you discussed his applying for Social Security Disability benefits? You state he has a terminal illness with a 5-year life expectancy, there is a possibility that he may qualify for a compassion allowance. When someone qualifies for a compassion allowance you may get a decision within 10 days. Also, when someone becomes disabled their benefit is equivalent to the amount of their full retirement age (FRA) benefit. I have attached information about applying for disability with a compassion allowance.
If your husband does not qualify for a compassion allowance, he has another option available to him. As he is 62 years old, he can file for disability and early retirement benefits at the same time. If and when he wills his disability case, Social Security will increase his benefits to his FRA benefit amount. This option needs to be given serious consideration, and consulting with his doctor about whether or not he is able to continue to work or applying for disability is his best option. Should your husband lose his disability case, he would continue to receive his reduced benefit, which would affect the amount of your survivor benefit. I have attached some information about disability and early retirement benefits. If your husband should pass before his disability claim is determined, you have the right to continue the claim. See attached link: https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0423510035
If you are still working and plan on continuing to work, if you start any benefits before your FRA, you will be subject to an earnings limit until you reach your FRA. This usually increases every year, but you need to find out what it is if you are working and want to start Social Security benefits.
Your husband does not have the option to claim under your benefits and let his own benefits grow. If your husband were to start his benefits now he would only receive 70% of his FRA amount or approximately $2.520 versus his FRA amount of $3,600. That is a substantial reduction. You are correct that will affect your survivor benefit. However, you are protected by what is known as the widow’s limit. If your husband were to take his benefits now at 62 whereas he will only get 70%, you will actually receive 82.5% of his FRA amount, or approximately $2,970, which is still a loss of $600 per month. However, you will become eligible for your maximum widow benefit at age 62 & 9 months. These figures are only estimates, as they will most likely increase if there are any cost of living increases.
With your current estimate, even if you delay taking your own benefits until age 70, your own benefits will never be larger than your husband’s benefits. You will want to know the current amount of your own benefit before making a claiming decision. If your husband passes without claiming his own benefits, the amount of his benefit will be determined by the date of his death and it will be equivalent to his FRA amount. You will not become eligible for 100% of his benefit until you reach your FRA. If he passes before you reach your FRA, but you are at least 62, you will have the option to file a restricted application and claim your own retirement benefit early at a reduced rate than apply for his higher benefit at your FRA when you will receive 100% of his benefit including any cost-of-living increases since that date.
If you have further questions please contact us at ssadvisor@amacfoundation.org or 888-750-2622.
Sharon Kleczka RSSA
AMAC Foundation
My husband (vet) died in 2018. He had dementia so I retired in 2015 to take care of him.. When he passed I was told by Social Security that I would not receive and benefits except the lousy $200 burial feed. His SS was more than mine but I couldn’t get
because I received a pension from the company I retired from. This is just robbery. Why is it like that. I can barely get by
Linda
When someone works for the government or other agency that the employees do not pay into the Social Security system, they become subject to the Government Pension Offset (GPO). Social Security takes 2/3 of your pension and reduces any spousal or survivor benefit you would normally be eligible for. Apparently, 2/3 of your pension is higher than your deceased husband’s Social Security benefit. The GPO can zero out your survivor benefit.
Example. Survivor Benefit: $1,300 Pension $2,000 x 2/3 (.667) = $1,334. $1,300 minus $1,334 = zero
Congress created the GPO in 1977 to help ensure that spousal and widow(er) benefits of those with covered (paid into Social Security) or non-covered (didn’t pay into Social Security) lifetime earnings would be relatively equal. They reached this decision since when a married couple both work and pay into the Social Security system and each receives their own Social Security benefit, they are only allowed to keep the highest of the two benefits when one spouse passes away.
Example: Spouse 1: Benefit amount $2,000 Spouse 2: Benefit amount: $1,300. One spouse passes away, the surviving spouse only gets to keep one benefit, the higher of the two. The result is the surviving spouse only receives $2,000 per month, and the smaller benefit of $1,300 ends.
Congress decided that someone receiving both a non-covered pension and a spousal or survivor Social Security benefit in full was considered “double dipping.” There have been many bills submitted to Congress to appeal the GPO, but to date, none have passed.
If you have further questions please contact us at ssadvisor@amacfoundation.org or 888-750-2622.
Sharon Kleczka RSSA
AMAC Foundation
I am able to collect my late husband social security at the age of 60, at the earliest if I want. When will I be able to receive Medicare Benifits? Please advise! Monica F.
Monica
Yes, you are correct you can collect your late husband’s Social Security as early as age 60, but at that time you will only be able to receive 71.5% of his benefit and it will be a permanent reduction. You will not become eligible for Medicare until you are 65 years old.
If you have further questions please contact us at ssadvisor@amacfoundation.org or 888-750-2622.
Sharon Kleczka RSSA
AMAC Foundation
I can’t find my marriage certificate, and the county where we married over 60 year’s agodoesn’t have the record. What else could I use when applying for widow’s benefit
Emily
First, let me offer you my condolences on your loss. Were you by any chance married in a church? The church might have a record of your marriage. Social Security will accept a certified copy of the religious record of your marriage.
How Do You Prove A Ceremonial Marriage?
You prove a ceremonial marriage by providing:
A. A certified copy of the public record of the marriage;
B. A certified copy of the religious record of the marriage; or
C. The original marriage certificate.
Is Any Other Evidence Acceptable?
We prefer the types of evidence listed above. If none of this evidence is available, you may submit the following types of evidence:
A. A signed statement from a member of the clergy or public official who performed the marriage; or
B. Other evidence of investigative value, e.g., statements of witnesses, newspaper accounts, and photos taken of the ceremony.
In some cases, evidence obtained for other purposes may also serve as evidence of marriage. You must provide statements concerning certain details of your marriage and document the fact that the preferred proofs are not available.
https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/handbook/handbook.17/handbook-1716.html#:~:text=A%20certified%20copy%20of%20the,The%20original%20marriage%20certificate.
I recommend you make an appointment with your local Social Security office to start the process of applying for your survivor benefits. The date you apply will be considered your protective filing date. This will entitle you to your survivor benefits as of the date of application, up to six months prior or the date of your husband’s death, whichever is first. Social Security will assist you with getting the necessary documentation or will tell you exactly what they will accept as evidence of your marriage.
If you have further questions please contact us at ssadvisor@amacfoundation.org or 888-750-2622.
Sharon Kleczka RSSA
AMAC Foundation
Thank you so much for your podcast. My husband died 2/20/2021 and I’ve been confused about what to do about his social security. The whole process is a bit overwhelming. I believe that I have to wait until my full retirement age to start collecting his benefits? I am still working part time. I believe that my full retirement age is 66.6 with my birth date being 2/21/1957. Ill check. Thanks again,
Belinda
You have a couple of options available to you. You mention you are only working part-time. If your part-time are earnings will be less than $56,520 this year, which is the annual limit for 2023 for someone turning their FRA, you may want to consider starting the smaller of the two Social Security benefits now. You have the option to file a restricted application to begin the Social Security benefit of choice while allowing the benefit that will eventually be the highest to continue to grow. Your own benefit can grow to the age of 70 to reach its maximum amount, whereas the survivor benefit based on your husband’s benefit reaches it’s maximum when you reach your full “widow age” of 66 & 2 months in April, but you are subject to the earnings limit until you reach your FRA in June of this year.
You need to find out the amount of both benefits before applying. If your benefit will never be higher than your husband’s, even when you reach 70, do not delay in starting your survivor benefits. If you own benefit will be higher when you reach age 70, you will then want to restrict your application to your survivor benefit only, while allowing your own Social Security benefit to continue to grow, up to age 70 or anytime it will be larger.
Also, if you are under the earnings limit, you have the option to take 6 months of retro-active benefits on the benefit you decide to take first. Taking these retro-active benefits will permanently reduce the amount you will receive unless your husband started taking his own Social Security benefits early. You need to apply in person for your survivor benefits, and Social Security is supposed to inform you of your options. As you will reach your FRA as of June 1st, you should contact your local Social Security office to make an appointment ASAP.
If you have further questions please contact us at ssadvisor@amacfoundation.org or 888-750-2622.
Sharon Kleczka RSSA
AMAC Foundation
My Father passed recently at 73, and was a retired soldier, and mailman. I received a letter to contact your office.
Jason:
Please note that we are not affiliated with the Social Security Administration or the Veterans Administration, so the letter would not have come from our organization (the AMAC Foundation). Please check the letter for a telephone number or a mailing address.
Gerry Hafer
AMAC Foundation Social Security Advisor
I am 76 yrs old and draw a small ss as I am also a Civil Service retiree. My wife recently died and at the time of her death she was drawing SS disability. My SS was much, much smaller then hers. Roughly what will I benefit?
Michael
First, let me offer you my condolences on the loss of your wife. You need to contact your local Social Security office to file for benefits. You are eligible for the one-time lump sum death benefit of $255. As a Civil Service retiree, any survivor benefits you may be eligible for based on your wife’s Social Security are going to be reduced by the Government Pension Offset (GPO). Social Security will reduce your gross pension amount, the amount before any deductions by 2/3 (.667) of your pension. The GPO can actually zero out your survivor benefit.
Example:
Your pension: $3,000
Your wife’s SS benefits at the time of her death: $2.000
$3,000 X .667 = $2.001 $2.000 (her benefit) minus $2,001 (2/3 of your pension) = zero
We are not affiliated with Social Security so we can not access your Social Security account to help you determine whether or not you will receive any survivor benefit from your wife, but hopefully, the above example will help you determine if you might be eligible for a survivor benefit. The end result will have to be higher than the benefit you are currently receiving.
Sharon Kleczka, Social Security Advisor
AMAC Foundation
http://www.AmacFoundation.org
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
My wife passed away after from leukemia and at the time my childred were 1, 3, & 5. I met with SS office at the time and my children get death benefits and I only got the couple hundred dollars death benefits. I did not get survivor benefits for some reason. I resently friended an individual that was in a similar situation and they received monthly spouse benefits as well. I am trying to understand if there were income limits or some other thing making me not qualify. The kicker is that my friend received over $2 million in life insurance at the time of their spouses death so they decided to quite work, and still got the monthly benefit. I was not in a position to not work. I am trying to understand if an error was made or if the system is simply broken.
Scott
There is a benefit available to a surviving spouse with children under 16 that is known as the “child-in-care” benefit. That is probably what your friend is referring to when they said they received a spousal benefit. There is also what is known as the “family max” that limits how much you can receive on someone’s Social Security record. Each of your children and you became eligible for a benefit equal to 75% of your wife’s Social Security benefit when she passed away. However, due to the family max, the maximum amount allowed was only up to 188% of her benefit. Your three children each received an equal percentage of that amount. If you were to have received a child-in-care benefit, it would have been divided four ways instead of three, but the amount received would not have gone up at that time. You are also subject to an earnings limit until you reach your full retirement age (FRA), which for this year is $21,240 annually. Once you go over that limit Social Security withholds $1 for every $2 you go over.
As only “earned income” affects whether or not you can collect Social Security benefits before you reach your FRA, the fact that your friend received $2 million in life insurance didn’t make any difference to the amount of Social Security benefits she was eligible to receive.
I know this seems extremely unfair to you, but when Social Security was originally created, it was simply a retirement benefit to keep Seniors out of poverty. That being said, Social Security expects you to work until you reach your FRA. Over the years, it has changed and dependent and survivor benefits were added, but any Social Security benefits you receive are subject to the earnings limit until you reach your FRA. Even children’s dependent benefits are subject to the earnings limit if they go to work.
Sharon Kleczka, Social Security Advisor
AMAC Foundation
http://www.AmacFoundation.org
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
I will turn 65 on this October 2023. But I am not enough 40 credits for work. Do I have apply Medicare on time. And what will I do next?
Huong
If you are still working and have creditable employer health insurance, you do not need to apply for Medicare at this time. You normally have creditable employer coverage when you work for a company with more than 20 employees. If you are not sure if your health insurance qualifies speak with your insurance company or the Human Resources department at your company.
If you are married or were ever married for at least 10 years, or widowed after being married at least 9 months, to someone that is deceased, or at least 62 or disabled and qualifies for Social Security, you are eligible under their record. If not you will have to pay for both Medicare Part A and Part B, but you still need to start Medicare at age 65 to avoid permanent penalties.
If you need to apply for Medicare, you apply at least 3 months prior to October, if you want it to start that month. You actually have 3 months before you turn 65, the month you turn 65, and 3 months after you turn 65. If you do not qualify under a current or prior spouse’s record, you will have to pay for the cost of your Medicare Part A until you do. For 2023, if you have less than 30 quarters, it will cost you $506 per month. If you have between 30 and 39 quarters, it will cost you $278 per month. When you finally earn the full 40 quarters, Part A will be free. The current premium for Part B is $164.90 per month, and everyone has to pay for this. If your income is low you may be eligible for the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary program: https://www.medicareinteractive.org/get-answers/cost-saving-programs-for-people-with-medicare/medicare-savings-programs-qmb-slmb-qi/medicare-savings-program-benefits
Medicare Savings Program benefits – Medicare Interactive
If you qualify for one of the three main Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs), your Medicare Part B monthly premium will no longer be deducted […]
http://www.medicareinteractive.org
We may be able to better assist you if you provide us with more information about your situation.
You may contact us by emailing ssadvisor@amacfoundation.org or calling (888)750-2622.
Sharon Kleczka, Social Security Advisor
AMAC Foundation
http://www.AmacFoundation.org
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
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My father in-law passed away at age 86 and started taking his social security early at a reduced rate. My mother in-law is 80. Will she now get 100% of my father in-law social security or will she get a reduced rate because he took his social security early?
Hello Jim,
Assuming that your father-in-law’s benefit is higher than your mother-in-law’s benefit, she is entitled to the higher amount. If she was already getting a spouse benefit from his record this will happen automatically. If her benefit is strictly from her own work record she will need to apply for the survivor benefit by calling Social Security to set up a phone or in person appointment. Since she is past her Full Retirement Age she is entitled to 100% of his benefit. The Widow’s Cap rule may apply because he took his benefit early. This means she will get the higher amount of either 100% of what he was receiving when he passed away OR 82.5% of his Full Retirement Age benefit. She will need to also apply for the Lump Sum Death Benefit of $255.00.
You may contact us by emailing ssadvisor@amacfoundation.org or calling (888)750-2622.
Arlene Sharp, Social Security Advisor
AMAC Foundation
http://www.AmacFoundation.org
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
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How much in assets can a child receiving social security survivor benefits resulting from the death of his parents accumulate? Can the funds be put away to accumulate for college tuition if they are not needed for day to day expenses?
Tim
When a child is receiving Social Security survivor benefits, they are not subject to an asset limit. They are eligible to receive those benefits until they are 18 years old, or 19 if still in high school. The benefits end in the month they graduate from high school. For example, if they graduate in June, they will receive their last payment in June, which is for May.
However, approximately three months before the child’s 18th birthday they will receive a letter from Social Security that they will need to complete and submit to their high school to verify they are still going to school, and the payment will be put directly in their name. You will also receive a letter from Social Security asking you how much of the child’s benefits you have saved for them. Social Security will be asking you to give the money back so that they may give it to the child directly. Social Security may also allow you to transfer conserved funds directly to the child. Please click on the following links for more information: https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10085.pdf https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0200603055
You may contact us by emailing ssadvisor@amacfoundation.org or calling (888)750-2622.
Sharon Kleczka, Social Security Advisor
AMAC Foundation
http://www.AmacFoundation.org
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
My wife passed away in 2015 at the age of 52. At the time she was collecting social security disability. I thought about applying for her social security in one year for i will be 60 years old. Is the disability the amount social security will be going by, or her earned credits?
Kenneth
You become eligible to receive survivor benefits at age 60 if you are still single. The amount you will receive at that time will be equal to 71.5% of her disability benefit at the time of her death, including any cost-of-living increases since the date of her death.
However, if you are still working, you will be subject to an earnings limit until you reach your full retirement age (FRA) of 67. The earnings limit for 2023 is $21,240 annually. If you go over the earnings limit Social Security will withhold $1 for every $2 you go over. The annual limit tends to go up each year, so it most likely will be higher in 2024. In the year you reach your FRA the earnings limit goes up by almost 2/3. This year the amount is $56,520.
If her benefit is smaller than your own, you will be able to start your own benefit once you reach 62 up to the age of 70, any time it is larger, and you decide to take it. As with your survivor benefit, you will be subject to an earnings limit until you reach your FRA. When you start any benefit early it will be a permanent reduction.
You may contact us by emailing ssadvisor@amacfoundation.org or calling (888)750-2622.
Sharon Kleczka, Social Security Advisor
AMAC Foundation
http://www.AmacFoundation.org
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
Ex spouse survivor informatiin
Nancy
To collect survivor benefits on an ex-spouse you had to be married at least 10 years. You also need to be at least age 60, single or didn’t remarry until after your 60th birthday, and the benefit must be higher than your own if you are already receiving your own retirement benefit. To apply you will need to contact your local Social Security office to apply, as you can not apply for survivor benefits online. You will also need a certified copy of your marriage license and divorce papers to prove the length of marriage. If you have not yet reached your full retirement age (FRA), and are still working, you will be subject to an earnings limit until you do. The annual earnings limit for 2023 is $21,240. If you go over that limit Social Security will withhold $1 for every $2 you go over. If you are turning your FRA this year, the annual limit is $56,520. If you go over the limit, Social Security will withhold $1 for every $3 you over. In the month you reach your FRA the earnings limit ends. These limits tend to increase each year.
You may contact us by emailing ssadvisor@amacfoundation.org or calling (888)750-2622.
Sharon Kleczka, Social Security Advisor
AMAC Foundation
http://www.AmacFoundation.org
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
I am receiving Social Security disability benefits. My full retirement age is 66 and 10 months at that time I will go on my normal retirement benefits my wife is 64 and ill if she passes away is not taking her Social Security yet can I get the family amount and then when she turns 66 in 10 months, even though she’s deceased, can I collect her normal retirement amount and then apply for mine at 70
Steven
If you should be the surviving spouse, and you have reached your full retirement age (FRA), and your wife’s benefit is higher than yours, you will be eligible to receive 100% of her benefit at her time of death. If she passes before taking her Social Security benefits, it will be determined on the date of her death and equivalent to her FRA amount. You do not have the option to switch from your own retirement benefit to a survivor benefit while allowing your own retirement benefit to continue to grow to 70. The only option you have to allow your own benefit to grow to 70, if it will be higher than her benefit, is when you reach your FRA, you can suspend your own retirement benefit, and not receive any benefits, including your survivor benefit, even if it is higher than your own benefit at the time.
If your SSDI benefit will always be higher than your wife’s FRA benefit, you will only be eligible to receive the $255 lump sum death benefit. If this is the case, and your wife is extremely ill, she may want to consider starting her own retirement benefits now, even though they will be reduced according to her age, as they will end upon her death. As she is 64, she has the option to file for her own early retirement benefit and disability. If and when she wins her disability case, she will receive an amount equal to her FRA. I have attached the information pertaining to compassion allowances. If your wife qualifies for one of these conditions and has worked at least 5 out of the last ten years, Social Security will fast-track her disability application. https://www.ssa.gov/compassionateallowances/conditions.htm
You may contact us by emailing ssadvisor@amacfoundation.org or calling (888)750-2622.
Sharon Kleczka, Social Security Advisor
AMAC Foundation
http://www.AmacFoundation.org
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
My common law husband passed away on March 19, 2021. I am on disability and will turn 60 in Sept, 2023 can i get his social security benefits.
Irene
Common law marriage may be legally established only in a small number of states. Not all states have statutes addressing common law marriage, and in some states case law and public policy determine validity.
However, if you established a common law marriage in a state that allows them and move later, any state you move to must acknowledge that marriage. This means that you can get Social Security survivor’s or spouse’s benefits in any state as long as your common law marriage was created in a state that permitted it.Not many states recognize common law marriages. As you do not mention what state you live in, I can not answer your question.
Social Security benefits may be payable to a spouse or surviving spouse who is (or was) part of a couple who are (or were) not legally married but live (or lived) in a “common law marriage” relationship, but only if that relationship was established in a state which recognizes common law marriage.
If there are questions about the circumstances pertaining to common law marriage, including the duration of cohabitation, contact an attorney, a legal services organization, or the nearest Clerk of the Court. Use the following link to the Social Security Website to see if you reside or have resided in a state that recognizes common-law marriages: https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0200305075
SSA – POMS: GN 00305.075 – State Laws on Validity of Common-Law Non-Ceremonial Marriages – 05/30/2023
State Laws on Validity of Common-Law Non-Ceremonial Marriages
secure.ssa.gov
If you can establish that your relationship qualifies as a “common-law marriage” you will qualify for a survivor benefit on his record as you are 60 years old, as long as his benefit is higher than your own. However, if you qualify, and you start your benefits now you would only receive a survivor benefit equal to 71.5% of his benefit. This would be a permanent reduction. If you qualify and wait until your full retirement age (FRA) of 67 you would receive 100% of his benefit at his time of death.
You will not receive both benefits, just the higher of the two.
You may contact us by emailing ssadvisor@amacfoundation.org or calling (888)750-2622.
Sharon Kleczka, Social Security Advisor
AMAC Foundation
http://www.AmacFoundation.org
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
Since your ex’s current wife is 57 years old, she may be eligible for survivor benefits if she meets certain criteria. If she is eligible, her benefit amount would be separate from the children’s benefits and would not affect the amount they receive.
In terms of the distribution among the children, the family maximum benefit would come into play. The total benefits allocated to all eligible family members cannot exceed the family maximum benefit amount. Therefore, if the family maximum is about $4,000 and there are two eligible children, the benefits would need to be divided accordingly.
To get accurate and personalized information about survivor benefits in your specific situation, it is recommended to contact the Social Security Administration directly. They can provide guidance based on the individual circumstances and help determine the benefits each family member may be eligible to receive. https://ssa-office.com/org/social-security-office-in-benton-harbor/
My husband passed in 2011 and I became disabled with cancer and stage 5 ckd I am drawing from him but I only get about 670. A month can’t I draw disability on my own and get more this is my only income
Millie
It sounds like you are receiving a survivor benefit on your deceased husband’s Social Security benefit. If you started receiving this benefit before you turned 62, it is possible that your own benefit may now be higher. As we are not affiliated with the Social Security Administration we are unable to check your record to see if you are eligible for a higher benefit based on your own Social Security record. I recommend you contact your local Social Security and ask if your own benefit is now higher than what you are currently receiving based on your husband’s record.
If you would like to discuss your situation further please contact us.
You may contact us by emailing ssadvisor@amacfoundation.org or calling (888)750-2622.
Sharon Kleczka, Social Security Advisor
AMAC Foundation
http://www.AmacFoundation.org
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
My husband (a U.S. citizen) passed away in April, 2023. He had been receiving social security benefits since age 65 at our address in the Philippines. I am currently 42 years old, a citizen and resident of the Philippines. Am I eligible to receive widow’s benefits? If so, how much am I entitled to, at what age can I receive benefits, and how do I apply from the Philippines? Thank you.
Daisy
If you have never lived in the United States, you would not be eligible for a survivor benefit from his Social Security record at this time. You must meet the “Additional residency requirements for dependents and survivors.”
“You are a citizen of a country for which Social Security requires dependents and survivors to meet additional residency requirements, you will have to show that you lived in the United States for at least five years. During those five years, you must have been in the family relationship on which we based your benefits.” If you lived in the United States as the wife of the deceased for at least 5 years, they do not have to be consecutive, you qualify to receive a survivor benefit in the Philippines. https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10137.pdf If you do not meet the 5-year requirement, and have not remarried, you can move to the United States, as his widow, until you meet the 5 year requirement to receive Social Security survivor benefits.
NOTE: A survivor’s period of residence in the U.S. after the NH dies may be counted toward the 5-year period of residence. https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0302610025
If you meet the 5-year residency requirement you will become eligible for a Social Security survivor benefit on your deceased husband when you reach your 60th birthday if you are still single. If you apply for your survivor benefits at age 60 you will receive a benefit equal to 71.5% of his benefit at the time of his death.
If you would like to discuss your situation further please contact us.
You may contact us by emailing ssadvisor@amacfoundation.org or calling (888)750-2622.
Sharon Kleczka, Social Security Advisor
AMAC Foundation
http://www.AmacFoundation.org
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
My husband and I were separated for over 10 years but still married. We do not have any children together. I recently found out he passed away two years ago. Am I entitled to any social security benefits?
Diane
As you were still legally married at his time of death you are eligible for survivor benefits based on his record. You become eligible for a survivor benefit when you are at least 60 years old (50 if disabled).
If you have already started taking your own Social Security benefits, his benefit at the time of his death must be higher than your own retirement benefit. If you are not taking any benefits at this time but are at least 62 you should find out whose benefit is higher, his or your own. This information is important as you have the option to file a restricted application and take the lower benefit first while allowing the higher benefit to continue to grow. Your survivor benefit no longer grows beyond your full retirement age (FRA), whereas you can allow your own retirement benefit to grow until your age of 70 if it will result in a higher benefit.
If you are working and have not yet reached your FRA, you will be subject to an earnings limit, regardless of which benefit you choose to receive first. The annual earnings limit for 2023 is $21,240 and $22,320 for 2024. If you go over this annual limit Social Security will withhold $1 for every $2 you go over. If you reach your FRA this year, the amount you earn before the month you reach your FRA is $56,520 and for 2024 it is $59,520. If you go over this amount, Social Security will withhold $1 for every $3 you go over. Beginning in the month you reach your FRA; you are no longer subject to an earnings limit.
A one-time lump-sum death payment of $255 can be paid to the surviving spouse if they were living with the deceased. If living apart and you were receiving certain Social Security benefits on the deceased’s record, you may be eligible for the lump-sum death payment.
You must contact your local Social Security office to apply for survivor benefits, you cannot apply for them online. They may ask you to present a certified copy of your marriage license.
If you would like to discuss your situation further please contact us.
You may contact us by emailing ssadvisor@amacfoundation.org or calling (888)750-2622.
Sharon Kleczka, Social Security Advisor
AMAC Foundation
http://www.AmacFoundation.org
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
My husband recently died at age 43. I am 31
We are legally married We have 3 kids ages 12-7-3
How much will we get in survivor benefits
Tasha,
So sorry to hear of your loss, especially your husband passing at such a young age. Our condolences.
Assuming your husband worked and contributed to Social Security while he was living, even though you are not yet-age eligible for regular SS surviving spouse benefits (you must normally be at least 60), because you have three minor children you are eligible for early “child in care” survivor benefits now from your deceased husband. How much you will get, however, depends on several factors, including the benefit amount your husband had earned up until he died. Be aware that your minor children are also eligible for survivor benefits from your husband, which they can collect up to age 18 (or up to age 19 if still in high school). As long as you are caring for at least one of your children under age 16, you can also get child-in-care survivor benefits, but the benefit for each of you will be limited by a rule called the Family Maximum. The Family Maximum sets a limit as to how much all dependents can collect on one worker’s (your husband’s) earned benefit amount.
I cannot tell you how much you and your children will each get because that depends on your husband’s Social Security earnings history (which I do not have access to). The Social Security Administration has access to your husband’s earnings info so you will need to contact Social Security directly at 1.800.772.1213 to request an appointment to apply for your benefits. You will be applying for minor child survivor benefits for each of your children, as well as child-in-care surviving spouse benefits for yourself. At your appointment (often conducted over the phone) Social Security will be able to tell you how much each of you will be getting, under the rules of the Family Maximum. As a guide, the Family Maximum always comes out to be between 150% and 180% of the benefit your husband had earned up to his death, and each of you will get a proportional share of your unique Family Maximum amount. You will likely need to provide Social Security with documentation, including your husband’s death certificate, your marriage certificate, and birth certificates for each of your children. SS will guide you on what documentation they require when you call.
Something else to keep in mind is this: if you are collecting child-in-care survivor benefits and you are working, Social Security imposes a limit on how much you can earn while collecting Social Security benefits (the limit for 2024 is $22,320) and is that is exceeded you will lose some of your surviving spouse benefits. If you are working, or have plans to work in the future, you should discuss this with Social Security during your appointment when applying for your benefits. But even if you work, your earnings will not affect the benefits your children are receiving from your husband – they will receive surviving child benefits from your husband until each of them turn 18 (or up to age 19 if they are still in high school). Your “child-in-care” surviving spouse benefit will continue until your youngest child turns 16.
I suggest you contact Social Security right away to request an appointment to apply for your, and your children’s, SS survivor benefits. The national number for Social Security is 1.800.772.1213, or you can contact your local Social Security field office as well (all SS offices have access to the same data). And if you have any further questions about your Social Security benefits, please feel free to contact us again at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org, or call us at 1.888.750.2622 to speak with one of our expert Social Security Advisors.
Russell Gloor
National Social Security Advisor
The AMAC Foundation
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
My late husband took his social security benefits early he passed away at age 68 I was 47 five years later I was permanently disabled and collected ssdi on his record, they moved me over to 71.5 PIA a few years later. I recently found a article where congress was trying to help disabled widows receive higher social security PIA if they were collecting on their deceased spouses record and were taking a permanent lower amount because they were young when they became disabled.
Is this something that is being considered? If so who is sponsoring the bill? I member the name Clay Shaw but that is an old reform bill? Is there any possibility of more relief in the future for disabled widows on the books or in the pipeline? Thank you in advance
Karie,
You are likely referring to a bill (S.2741 – The SWIFT Act) which was introduced in the U.S. Senate in September of 2023. The bill was read on the Senate floor and immediately referred to the Senate Finance Committee for evaluation and consideration. The bill was introduced by Senator Robert Casey (D-PA), and has thus far attracted only six co-sponsors (a measure of lukewarm support). We’re not aware of the Finance Committee taking any action on the bill thus far, so the probability of future success cannot be determined. Here is a link to the bill, at which you can monitor progress: http://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/2741
You might also wish to contact your Congressional Representative to inquire about the bill’s status and to provide your comments.
The AMAC Foundation monitors all legislation which affects Social Security. Any progress on this bill will be included in those efforts, and we will post information about any status change at our SocialSecurityReport.org website.
Russell Gloor
National Social Security Advisor
The AMAC Foundation
Please advise, my husband passed in 2015 at 77, I was 57 on disability with MetLife. At 62 in 2020 without internet during Covid I couldn’t get through to SS so I wrote a letter asking for survivors benefit. They never responded, I kept calling but never got through and again in 2021 and 2022. I was never aware you had to fill out forms and again no internet. In 2023 when I turned 65 I called again and they finally set me up. I submitted letters going back to 2020. Since June 2023 they have been working on it. I keep calling and visiting the Sonora ca office and am told they are still calculating it.
Am I getting screwed?
Donna
During the pandemic, the offices were closed, and it was a difficult time for people applying for survivor benefits as you could only apply over the phone as the offices were all closed. As you have proof that you were trying to apply in 2020, it should be considered your protective filing date. Did you mail your letter certified signed receipt to be able to prove Social Security received your letter asking for survivor benefits? It will make your case stronger if you have a receipt showing the letter was received. Social Security usually only gives six months of retroactive benefits if you have passed your full-retirement age, or by your protective filing date.
You should not have to wait this long to get a result for the processing of your survivor benefits. If you haven’t, I strongly recommend you contact your local congressman’s office and ask for their assistance with obtaining your Social Security survivor benefits. Use the following link to contact them: https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative
You may contact us by emailing ssadvisor@amacfoundation.org or calling (888)750-2622.
Sharon Kleczka, Social Security Advisor
AMAC Foundation
http://www.AmacFoundation.org
my husband died in 2021, he never collected VA benefits.am I eligible.to get them
May,
Your eligibility for VA benefits depends entirely on your deceased husband’s entitlement to VA benefits, and his eligibility for VA benefits, and the level of benefits available, depend on which years he served and whether he had a service related disability, as well as his discharge status. If he was eligible for VA benefits and simply didn’t take advantage of them, you may still be eligible for certain benefits based on his service record. You can see some to the types of VA benefits available to family members at this link: https://www.va.gov/family-member-benefits/
I suggest you contact the VA directly to discuss whether you are eligible for any VA benefits based on your deceased husband’s military service record. You should gather all information you have about your husband’s military service, including a copy of his DD-214 if you have it. Then you can call 1-800-827-1000 to speak to someone at the VA benefits call center. Most states also provide assistance on veteran matters, contact for which you can find by doing an internet search for “VA services offered by (State)” – where “State” is your state.
May, I hope this information is helpful. We are not experts in veterans’ matters, but please contact us again at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org if you have further questions.
Russell Gloor
Social Security Advisor
The AMAC Foundation
My wife passed at age 57,she was on SSID. I just started my SSI retirement at age 66.6 will I still be entitled to Her SSID check to help with my living expenses ?
Jimmy
As you just started your own retirement benefits, they must have been higher than your deceased wife’s SSDI benefits. At the time you applied Social Security should have made you aware that you had the option to apply for your survivor benefit first, if it was lower, while allowing your own retirement to grow up to your age of 70.
You can only receive the larger of the two benefits available to you. If you have just applied for your own benefit, and would rather let it grow until it is larger, you should call Social Security to cancel your application for your own retirement benefit, and file a restricted application for survivor benefits only.
This is the only way you will ever collect any of her Social Security benefits, you can not collect both of them at the same time.
You may contact us by emailing ssadvisor@amacfoundation.org or calling (888)750-2622.
Sharon Kleczka, Social Security Advisor
AMAC Foundation