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.
I am trying to inform myself as much as possible about the workings of Social Security and so read articles frequently about it. As I was doing some research I found an article on the SS website that seemed to say that the least a widow could receive was 82.5% of her spouse's full retirement, even if one or both of the spouses took early retirement. Do any of you have experience with this?
Also, if the husband was on disability at the time of death, is the disability amount received the basis for determining the widow's SS?
If I am reading all of this correctly, I may actually be able to breathe a little when I get on SS!
Also, if the husband was on disability at the time of death, is the disability amount received the basis for determining the widow's SS?
If I am reading all of this correctly, I may actually be able to breathe a little when I get on SS!
These are examples of monthly benefit payments:
Widow or widower, full retirement age or older --100 percent of your benefit amount;
Widow or widower, age 60 to full retirement age -- 71 to 99 percent of your basic amount;
Disabled widow or widower, age 50 through 59 -- 71 percent;
Widow or widower, any age, caring for a child under age 16 -- 75 percent.
A child under age 18 (19 if still in elementary or secondary school) or disabled -- 75 percent.
Your dependent parent(s), age 62 or older: One surviving parent -- 82 percent.
Two surviving parents -- 75 percent to each parent.
Percentages for a surviving divorced spouse would be the same as above.
This is what I have read on other widow groups too and the widows who are receiving benefits at age 60 have said they are getting 71.5% of the full amount. I can't find anything about whether the full amount would be based on the amount he was receiving for disability. My husband was disabled at the time of his death and I'm using that as my baseline figure until I can actually apply and multiplying it be 71.5%. That gives me a ballpark to know what to expect and if I get more great!!
Nessie from KY
Nessie from KY
On this website: http://www.socialsecurity.gov/policy/docs/ssb/v70n3/v70n3p89.html
I found this:
The widow's limit. Under the amendments of 1972, the widow's benefit is limited to the greater of the amount the deceased worker would be receiving if alive or 82.5 percent of the PIA. The basic intent was to create parity between worker and widow amounts in cases where the worker takes early retirement benefits (the 82.5 percent feature of this provision, however, reflects congressional desire not to have this provision lower benefits below the benefit rate (82.5 percent) that existed before these amendments).
I was very curious so I called the local SS office. The woman there said that the base for my benefits would be figured from the disability that my husband was receiving at the time he died. I asked about the 82% thing and she acknowledged that she read it but would not say if it applied to me. She said that I would have to wait until I applied for my benefits to find out exactly what I would get. There was a tone in her voice and a pause that made me think that the 82% was true but maybe they didn't like people to know that? There is also an example given that states that even if the husband retired early and the wife receives her benefits early, she still gets 82% of her husband's PIA(Primary Insurance Amount)
The reason for all of this is because people were concerned about the fact that it takes a single person more than 50% of the income of a couple to maintain a similar level of living. Some thought it was an injustice to the wife to only receive a percentage of her husband's SS, especially if she did not work outside the home to be eligible for her own SS. I found the article to be quite interesting and hope that I am interpreting it correctly!
I was mislead by SS person and claimed widows benefits at 63. They were reduced a percent for each year I was under full age of 66. Instead of getting my husbands full benefits , I got only $75.00 added to my already worker benefits I was getting. I claimed mine early at 62.
I fought them and was allowed to wave widows benefits , repay his portion I had collected over the year, and I will reclaim full benefits at 66!! Hopefully!
There is a lot of misinformation even from the SS people!!
Hope this helps.
Maureen
I wonder how they determine exactly what percentage you receive.
SS, they deduct a certain percentage for each month that you are under full retirement age. At sixty, it says that we would get 71.5% of what our husband's were receiving.
And, yes, Maureen and Sara, I am aware that not all SS personnel are aware of all the facts concerning these issues. That is why I am asking a lot of questions!!
Sara, I didn't think you were being a jerk at all. I was agreeing that the SS personnel don't know everything so I feel like I need to ask those who have actually experienced this since they now know how those of us who have been widowed young fare in the SS system. I am constantly finding that the "experts" just don't know everything!