Benefits for Widows, Widowers & Other Survivors
Author: Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 2010/09/05
Contents: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Related Publications
Synopsis: When a person has worked and paid Social Security taxes dies widows widowers and other survivors may be eligible for survivors benefits.
Introduction
When a person who has worked and paid Social Security taxes dies, certain members of the family may be eligible for survivors benefits.Main Content
If your divorced spouse dies, you can receive benefits as a widow or widower if the marriage lasted 10 years or longer and you are age 60 or older (or age 50 if you are disabled.)
If you are collecting survivors benefits, you can switch to your own retirement benefits (assuming you are eligible and your retirement rate is higher than the widow or widower's rate) as early as age 62.
Benefits paid to a surviving divorced spouse who is 60 or older (age 50 if disabled) will not affect the benefit rates for other survivors receiving benefits.
U.S. Social Security survivors benefits can be paid to:
- Dependent parents age 62 or older
- A disabled widow or widower, as early as age 50
- Children at any age who were disabled before age 22 and remain disabled.
- A widow or widower, full benefits at full retirement age, or reduced benefits as early as age 60
- A widow or widower at any age if he or she takes care of the deceased's child who is under age 16 or disabled, and receiving Social Security benefits
- Unmarried children under 18, or up to age 19 if they are attending high school full time. Under certain circumstances, benefits can be paid to stepchildren, grandchildren, or adopted children.
Further Information on Benefits for Widows, Widowers at the U.S. Social Security website.
Author Credentials: Ian is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, a leading resource for news and information on disability issues. With a global perspective shaped by years of travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed proponent of the Social Model of Disability-a transformative framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that emphasizes dismantling societal barriers rather than focusing solely on individual impairments. His work reflects a deep commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his full biography.