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.

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lrs55 08/26/2014

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!

cliffskat 09/02/2014

Have you tried setting up an account on the Social Security website? It says that if you establish a "my Social Security" account there that you can access all your info, including projected benefits. Just a thought....

Love and Hugs,
Martha

cliffskat 09/02/2014

P.S. - you're supposed to be able to print out your benefits and earnings statement from that - it's supposed to be like the one they used to mail out.

lrs55 09/02/2014

Martha, if my memory is correct, I did try that but since I will be using my husband's SS, I do not have access to his information. Even though it is funding my SS benefits. Sigh. So many things about being a widow are difficult and annoying from a legal perspective! Such as the fact that my husband's IRA's remain in his name even though I am the beneficiary. Everything is based on his age, etc. Of course that was a benefit in one instance since he was 59 and a half when he died, so I have to pay no penalties for accessing the money even though I am not 59 and a half yet.

soalone2to1 09/16/2014

I was at soc security today and was told since I was not at full retirement age that I would get a reduced amount and would not be able to get it increased when I reached 66 which is my full retirement age. They could not determine what the amount would be because they needed some military information to see if I might get a little more because he served his country, but seemed that if I continue to work I cannot make more than $15,000 a year or they will not pay me anything. Very confusing. Waiting for his service records to come in so I can get this finished up. Need the money so this is very frustrating.

deleted_user 09/16/2014

Ira55
That is what happened to me! It is quite a bit less than u would get at 66 and if u don't have to, I'd suggest u wait. It's going to be for the rest of your life. I waved mine until I'm 66 and will get a lot more than I would have if I took it when Marv died.
Whatever u do, good luck!
Maureen

sandeestttn 09/16/2014

I retired at 62, while I was caring for my husband. He was on disability. he turned 65, and his check was quiet a bit less. When he was 67 he died, I got widows benefits which was 82% of what his was, no longer got mine. The first month they turned me down saying I didn't qualify??? married 47.5 years... So I went there, throwing a fit. They had sent me the wrong paper to fill out. So the next month I got it finally. They quoted me 3 different amounts. I got the least... Good luck... Sandee

praised 09/17/2014

My question is "what does the first wife get when she receives her own pension.. She is entitled if she is single and they were married for thirteen years. How much does she get? It was the second marriage for both of us, but because my pension was larger, I was ineligible for his social security, but received his two pensions. I can tell she and her daughter was on it two days after the funeral,

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