If thinking of the Social Security Administration brings to mind disability and retirement programs, you’d be only partially correct. A survivor benefits program provides support for a deceased worker’s spouse, children, and dependent parents.
Sackett and Associates, the premier disability law firm assisting people throughout Northern California and nationwide with disability and other Social Security benefit programs, wants you to be aware of programs for surviving spouses. For instance, widows and widowers receive more than half of the Social Security benefits you can receive as a family benefit through your spouse’s account. This blog explains Social Security survivor benefits for widows and widowers and how Sackett Law can be of assistance to you and your family.
What Does It Mean To Be An “Insured” Worker?
A worker must have enough credits to be insured and eligible for benefits through the following programs administered by the Social Security Administration:
- Social Security Disability Insurance
- Social Security retirement
- Survivors benefits
You earn up to four work credits a year by working at jobs subject to payment of Social Security payroll taxes. Generally, you must work for 10 years to be eligible for the SSDI, retirement, and survivor benefit programs. Workers who become disabled or die at a young age may be eligible for SSDI or survivor benefits.
Each work credit represents a certain amount of earnings, but it changes each year. For example, $1,730 in earnings in 2024 equals one work credit, but it will take $1,810 in earnings to earn a credit in 2025.
Benefits available to a surviving spouse of an insured worker
The amount of surviving spouse Social Security benefits depends on the age the widow or widower chooses to claim them. Although you can claim benefits sooner, as early as age 60, waiting until full retirement age means you receive full benefits survivor benefits. The full retirement age depends on the year you were born. It’s not 65, though many people may disagree with you.
The original age for full retirement was 65 during the early years of the Social Security Act. It was changed more than 40 years ago to gradually increase each year. Someone born in 1960 or later may apply for Social Security retirement benefits when they reach age 67.
However, survivor benefits eligibility follows a different rule. A widow or widower must be born in 1962 or later, not 1960, to claim deceased spouse benefits. Surviving spouses have the right to apply for survivor benefits when they reach age 60, but the benefit will be reduced.
There is another exception to the age rule you must know as a surviving spouse. If you have a disability, you may claim benefits through the account of a deceased spouse at 50 years of age provided you became disabled within seven years of the death of your spouse.
One last twist to the age rules for claiming survivor benefits applies to surviving spouses caring for a child of the marriage who is disabled or younger than 16. If the child receives benefits through the Social Security Administration, a parent may claim survivor benefits as a widow or widower at any age.
A surviving spouse who remarries before reaching 60 years of age, or 50 if they are disabled, survivors benefits are not available. If the marriage ends, your right to claim benefits is restored.
More To Know As A Surviving Spouse
The length of your marriage to your deceased spouse can be a factor in determining survivor benefits eligibility. Generally, you must be married for at least nine months when your spouse dies to be eligible for benefits as a surviving spouse.
If you are a surviving ex-spouse, you may still be eligible for benefits, provided you are at least 60 years old. You are eligible at 50 if you have a disability. The marriage must have lasted for at least 10 years before the death of your spouse to be eligible for Social Security benefits. The age rules do not apply when you are the caregiver of a child in the marriage.
Benefits for widows and widowers claimed at full retirement age equal 100% of the benefits the deceased would have received. Surviving spouses younger than full retirement age receive 71.5% to 99% of their deceased spouse’s benefit. If you care for a dependent child of the marriage, your benefit is 75% of the deceased’s benefit.
Learn More About Survivors Benefits
Rules that apply to survivor benefits eligibility can be complex and overwhelming, but the disability professionals at Sackett and Associates have more than 45 years of experience helping people with all types of Social Security claims and appeals. Before giving up in frustration or taking a chance of making a mistake, contact Sackett Law for a free consultation. We assist people in Northern California and throughout the country when they need help with all matters related to Social Security.
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