Widows & Widowers Support Group

This community is dedicated to those who have lost a husband, wife, or partner. Anything is open for discussion here, with the hope that we can focus on grief, bereavement, life after loss, and continuing on after a great loss.

3,758 Members
19,465 Posts
1 Online
Death & Dying
/ Widows & Widowers Support Group

SSI

Truhal
Truhal
It's another sad part of our lives, but social security questions abound for new widows/widowers. Just read an interesting article about it and thought I'd pass it along. The author could have done a better job of describing the deceased spouse, but it's still very informative.

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/businessdesk/2014/01/why-many-widows-lose-nothing-from-taking-survivor-benefits-early.html
Comfortablynumb
Comfortablynumb
Thank you for posting this information. It does not apply to me personally, but there are so many new issues and things we need to learn, it is helpful to exchange that information here.
Community Leadercliffskat
cliffskat
Well, that made my head spin!! LOL! Thanks for that info - good to know if it applies to you. I was the main breadwinner throughout our marriage, so I would never have taken Cliff's benefits anyway, and as he died when I was only 50, I would have had to wait at least 10 years to collect. My younger son collects disabled survivor benefits including SSI under Cliff, but I get nothing for myself. When I die, my son's benefits will get recalculated upwards as I made more than Cliff did. Weird, isn't it?

Thanks for sharing this!

Love and Hugs,
Martha
praised
praised
I was not eligible for Clint's ss because he had pensions also. His ex wife wasn't aware of my situation, but she jumped on it right after he died because they were married for more than 10 years, so she is enjoying. We were together for 36 years.
Mgould
Mgould
It sure gets complicated. They rarely mention that if the wife continues to earn an income you cannot get your husband's benefits until you reach your own retirement age - 65 or over - unless you have a rather small income.
Community Leadercliffskat
cliffskat
@praised - You should both be entitled to survivor benefits as you were both married to your late husband for over 10 years. Here is the page on the Social Security site that says that:

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/survivorplan/onyourown3.htm

Hugs...
sandeestttn
sandeestttn
I had to accept only 80% because I was under full retirement age...I could have gottn100% but would have had to wait until I was 67. I will be 65 in May. First they turned me down, the next month they said OK. but at the reduced rate. We were married 48+ years...
tikibell1
tikibell1
I had to take the reduced benefits too I had no choice I could not find a full time job and life insurance was gone finally found a part time job with no benefits so have to pay for my own insurance. I do not think survivors benefits should be reduced but it is what it is we do what we have to do to keep going!