Benefits for Widows, Widowers & Other Survivors

Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 2010/09/05
Topic: U.S. Social Security - Publications List

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main

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 Item

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:

Further Information on Benefits for Widows, Widowers at the U.S. Social Security website - www.ssa.gov/ww&os2.htm

Author Credentials: Ian was born and grew up in Australia. Since then, he has traveled and lived in numerous locations and currently resides in Montreal, Canada. Ian is the founder, a writer, and editor in chief for Disabled World. Ian believes in the Social Model of Disability, a belief developed by disabled people in the 1970s. The social model changes the focus away from people's impairments and towards removing barriers that disabled people face daily. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and achievements, .

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Citing and References

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Cite This Page: Disabled World. (2010, September 5). Benefits for Widows, Widowers & Other Survivors. Disabled World (DW). Retrieved April 19, 2025 from www.disabled-world.com/disability/social-security/usa/widows-benefits.php

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