A Widow's Social Security Benefits

Answer 1

Social Security benefits are not just for those who are retired and no longer work. The Social Security Administration's federal benefits program also provides financial assistance to widows of workers who have paid into the federal system for years and may have passed away prior to their spouse. Historically, when Social Security began, men were the primary income earners, leaving women widows behind them. The widow's Survivor's benefit was designed to make sure women who relied on a working spouse were not thrown to poverty and the streets without some kind of financial support to rely on in their senior years.

Today, the Social Security survivor's benefit for widows continues, and it is not gender-specific. Over 5 million recipients are enrolled in the program and receiving related benefits from the federal government. As a widow or widower a recipient can receive limited survivor's benefits at age 60. This amount increases to the full legal benefit amount when the recipient reaches full retirement age, which for many today is now becoming age 67 due to longer mortality. If, on the other hand, the widow or widower is disabled, benefits can be received as early as age 50.

While widows and widowers lose their survivor benefits if they remarry, this loss no longer applies after age 60 or age 50 if a disability is involved. Additionally, if a widower is caring for a child under age 16, survivor benefits are still provided if a remarriage occurs.

Those expecting survivor benefits to be substantial, however, should not be so hopeful. Survivor benefits provide a basic financial support, but the amount is only somewhat above a comparable minimum wage income per month. Ultimately, personal savings and investments provide the best safety net for a person, either in a survivor situation or retirement in general. That said, the federal government's program is designed to at least provide a minimum safety net for all eligible widows and widowers.