Survivor and widow benefits
Benefits for widows, widowers and families after a death — eligibility, timing, and how survivor benefits interact with your own.
Survivor & widow benefits: questions and answers
42 questions answered · page 1 of 2
-
Is My Daughter Making a Bad Decision? - Claiming Widow's Benefits Early
Should your daughter claim widow's benefits at 62? Learn how the Annual Earnings Test and Social Security taxes could affect her decision.
-
Why Can’t I get a Lump Sum Death Benefit from my Wife?
Although we often see assertions that the so-called “one-time lump sum death benefit” is always paid, there are specific rules for when that admittedly small SS benefit is available.
-
Social Security Survivor Benefits – Part 2
A surviving spouse affected by the widow limit may reach their largest survivor benefit amount sooner than their FRA, but will still be subject to a limit.
-
Social Security Survivor Benefits – Part I
Dependents eligible for survivor benefits are usually either or both the spouse or minor child of the deceased.
-
I Lost Money as a Widow and Ex-spouse by Not Knowing the Rules
I Lost Money as a Widow and Ex-spouse by Not Knowing the Rules - Ask Rusty
-
About “Survivor” Benefits vs. “Spousal” Benefits
Ask Rusty – About “Survivor” Benefits vs. “Spousal” Benefits
-
Widow Stung by Social Security’s “Claw Back” Rule
Ask Rusty – Widow Stung by Social Security’s “Claw Back” Rule
-
What’s the Best Way to Start Receiving My Survivor Benefit?
Ask Rusty – What’s the Best Way to Start Receiving My Survivor Benefit?
-
Can I Get Survivor Benefits While Still Working?
Ask Rusty – Can I Get Survivor Benefits While Still Working?
-
Can A Working Widow Collect Survivor Benefits?
Ask Rusty – Can A Working Widow Collect Survivor Benefits?
-
When Is My Wife Eligible for Full Survivor Benefits?
Ask Rusty – When Is My Wife Eligible for Full Survivor Benefits?
-
How Do Social Security Survivor Benefits Work?
Ask Rusty – How Do Social Security Survivor Benefits Work?
-
Octogenarian Asks About Wife’s Spousal and Survivor Benefits
Ask Rusty – Octogenarian Asks About Wife’s Spousal and Survivor Benefits
-
Younger Widow Asks About Collecting Survivor Benefits
Ask Rusty – Younger Widow Asks About Collecting Survivor Benefits
-
What Are My Wife’s Benefits While I’m Living and as My Widow?
Ask Rusty – What Are My Wife’s Benefits While I’m Living and as My Widow?
-
Will Claiming Early Affect My Wife’s Survivor Benefit?
Ask Rusty – Will Claiming Early Affect My Wife’s Survivor Benefit?
-
I’m A Widower With 3 Minor Children - What About Social Security?
Ask Rusty – I’m A Widower With 3 Minor Children - What About Social Security?
-
Can a Widower Get Full Survivor Benefits Early?
Ask Rusty – Can a Widower Get Full Survivor Benefits Early?
-
About Survivor Benefits for Minor Children
Ask Rusty – About Survivor Benefits for Minor Children
-
Should I Take My Widower Benefit Now?
Should I Take My Widower Benefit Now? Ask Rusty
-
I’m Terminal; What Are My Wife’s Options as My Survivor?
I’m Terminal; What Are My Wife’s Options as My Survivor? - Ask Rusty
-
Disability vs. Survivor Benefit
Disability vs. Survivor Benefit – Ask Rusty
-
When Should I Claim My Survivor Benefit?
When Should I Claim My Survivor Benefit? – Ask Rusty
-
Why Can’t I Get Survivor Benefits from My Husband?
Why Can’t I Get Survivor Benefits from My Husband? - Ask Rusty
-
Will My Widow’s Benefit Replace My Own SS?
Will My Widow’s Benefit Replace My Own SS? - Ask Rusty
-
Should a Working Widow Claim Now or Wait?
Should a Working Widow Claim Now or Wait? - Ask Rusty
-
Can I Claim My Widow’s Benefit at Age 57?
Can I Claim My Widow’s Benefit at Age 57? - Ask Rusty
-
Can I Get a Widow’s Benefit if I’m on Disability?
Can I Get a Widow’s Benefit if I’m on Disability? - Ask Rusty
-
Why Won’t Social Security Give Me My Widow’s Benefit?
Why Won’t Social Security Give Me My Widow’s Benefit? - Ask Rusty
-
Should My Wife Claim at 62? Will She Get Widow Benefit?
Should My Wife Claim at 62? Will She Get Widow Benefit? - Ask Rusty