How To Apply For Social Security and Widow Benefits

How do you apply for social security widow benefits? We'll discuss basic rules, what to do if you're already getting benefits, the lump sum death benefit, the enrollment process, and how much you'll get.
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[@annfrost3323]

This important video has a glitch. It goes mute in several spots. Please re-post.

[@tigertelecom1]

Yes! Important video that is broken just when it gets to the good part!

[@KarenTonks]

So appreciate the information! A couple questions if you don’t mind. 1. My husband died at 44, my children and I received survivor benefits until they aged out. Will that affect how much I am eligible to receive? 2. Will they tell me over the phone the amount I will be eligible for? Thanks very much!

[@TheMedicareFamily]

No, no must go in person

[@KarenTonks]

@@TheMedicareFamily Thank you!

[@scottmcdowell4912]

My wife died at 43. She worked in the school system. I have been drawing a pension since her death. I am 60 years old now. If I wait until I am 61 to claim widow benefits, will her social security benefit go up 8% in the same way it would from drawing from your own retirement if you claim it early?

[@janetmartin9372]

If you draw survivors it is greatly reduced for drawing early but you can draw as early as 60 then switch to your own at 70. You can take your own at 62 and start survivors at your full retirement age. It goes up for every year you wait.

[@esthers9140]

My husband passed October of last year. I just turned 60 in March and don't plan on drawing on his Social Security until I turn 62 because of the penalties. We were married for 40 years are you saying when I go to file I have to have a copy of our marriage certificate ? That is something I do not have

[@kf1000]

You can get a copy... start now... contact the county records department where you were married

[@esthers9140]

Do I need to get the certificate even if he was collecting SSA at the time of his death?

[@lynneferraccio8843]

Hubby drew at FRA, I at 62on my own credits. If he passes before me I think there is a formula wherein they basically make my amount equal to what he was getting, not get his and then mine too.

[@TheMedicareFamily]

Correct

[@DebbiePadron-k9c]

Soooo informative:) Thank you for sharing. You’re awesome!!!!

[@LianissaReese]

I was never offered anything from SS. I didn't get the lump sum benefit and I had no idea there was such a thing called widow's benefits until a few days ago when my friend's husband passed away and she got that benefit plus the lump sum. I don't understand why I wasn't offered anything.

[@Simsane]

My husband died in January of this year. I turned 66 two days after he died. I could have waited until I hit my fill retirement age in August to collect survivor benefits but it wasn't worth it as it would have taken many years to make up the amount I would have lost by waiting. The closer the spouse is to their own full retirement age, the more you get of your deceased spouses benefits.

[@if3855]

Can i get the lump sum now at my 59 yeara of age and then wait till i retire to get my widows survival benefits? How does that work?

[@kmitchcollie2189]

Hi my question is: My ex passed May 2022 right after he turned 69. I think he started claiming his benefit at his FRA he was born 1953. I was born 1963 and am planning on retiring Dec 2023 after turning 60. We were married 29 years. The question finally... I'm retiring from Federal gov and want to know if the supplement will count towards earning limits???

[@TheMedicareFamily]

no but you have a different problem. Google Government pension offset

[@notmeee7302]

I'm pretty sure government pension offset only applies if you did not pay social security taxes on your government's earnings, such as possible to civil service retirement system CSRS. If you were under FERS you did pay taxes under social security and government pension offset does not apply to you.

[@teebirds7152]

My husband retired 2 years early. If i retire at my fra, do I get the full amount of his current ss benefit or what he would have received if he had waited which would have included cola

[@markdavis1116]

Your benefit will be based on what he was collecting

[@elianatomlin8683]

My spouse died 2009, age 43. I started collecting my SS in 2018 at age 62. I have never applied for widow benefits. I'm eligible to receive? Will they be in addition to my SS? Or instead of? Which wver is higher? What do I need to apply? Thanks in advance

[@yuna8388]

I am currently on widow's benefits and food assistance, will I lost this two benefits if I remarry at 66? Does income of my would be spouse adds up to my income in qualifying for food assistance?

[@Love-e1z2v]

My us citizen husband was died last April this year and his children avoid me to stay there in us after his funeral..and I don't know how or what I'm going to do to get his death benefits .I'm a Filipina..and I don't know how much money I will get..thank you

[@AliciaMedina-w9e]

I would like to know about colme law merrier

[@holyhelljz]

I'm turning 65 in May this year but work full time & make way over the threshold to collect benefits. However I was told if I take his SS beginning of 2025 when he would have turned 66 I could continue to work & draw his SS & the threshold is much higher so no deduction. Is this true? WA state.

[@markdavis1116]

You can make up to $20k without penalty. After the $20k? You will start being penalized.

[@sharon268]

2024 it’s 22,320

[@etalavera4076]

Due to illness I began drawing spousal Social Security at 62 if he passes before I do do I get widow's benefit I was married to him for 18 years and he has since remarried

[@janetmartin9372]

Yes

[@abbuhlcharles4006]

I am 65, my wife died at 63. The local SSA office told me I didn't qualify for survivor benefits because even though I have 58 credits / quarters in the private sector because the retirement I am collecting is from the state. A social security attorney told me I didn't qualify because when my wife died I was making more retired than she made working. Are either of these explanations correct and am I eligible for survivor benefits?

[@janetmartin9372]

No idea about the state retirement but maybe they are saying your current benefit is higher than your survivors from her. You only get one benefit so you would obviously choose yours the higher one.

[@shelleyo5727]

Scenario: Both my spouse and I are each other's second marriage. He was married the first time over 10 years; we were married 18 years when he passed. He was drawing benefits, I'm still working. I will file widow's benefits when I reach FRA 1 year from now. Just to clarify, she can only claim spousal benefits, not widow's benefits...correct? or are we both entitled to the same benefits?

[@penelope5500]

If you spouse's first wife meets the qualifications, she did not remarry (at least before 60) & her own SS is lower she would also be elig. to file for survivor's benefits.

[@TheMedicareFamily]

yes

[@TheMedicareFamily]

yes, if he is dead, you can only claim as a widow

[@clarisahernandez5280]

Mine seems complicated. I'm a disabled widow. I get disability benefits but I didn't get widow. Is it possible each program has different criteria for disability?

[@notmeee7302]

You will continue to get your disability because that's based off your credit. You can apply for your SSwidow's benefit based off of his work credit

[@SKsBabe]

My spouse, 75 began drawing at FRA. I, 64 began drawing at 63 knowing nothing about drawing from my spouse.😢 How do I now go about getting my portion from my spouse?

[@threeftr3349]

Please tell me if this is correct----if your spouse works until age 70, and he or she dies first, and has the higher amount of SS, they will only give you what their full retirement benefits was. So anything after their full retirement amount until 70 is not given to the survivor

[@kf1000]

Correct

[@lizjones7476]

From the SSA website: (e) What is the effect of my delayed retirement credits on the benefit amount of others entitled on my earnings record? - (1) Surviving spouse or surviving divorced spouse. If you earn delayed retirement credits during your lifetime, we will compute benefits for your surviving spouse or surviving divorced spouse based on your regular primary insurance amount . All delayed retirement credits, including any earned during the year of death, can be used in computing the benefit amount for your surviving spouse or surviving divorced spouse beginning with the month of your death. We compute delayed retirement credits up to but not including the month of death.

[@markdavis1116]

Wrong. You collect what ever THEY were collecting. Then it is based on YOUR age. Early = less Full = 100% of what they were collecting.

[@janetmartin9372]

You will get what they were getting if you wait until your full retirement age.

[@charliewells6473]

If I'm getting social security disability 60yrs old and my wife pass away can I get both benefits

[@TheMedicareFamily]

No

[@charliewells6473]

@@TheMedicareFamily thanks I was just wondering

[@charliewells6473]

@@TheMedicareFamily I have heard you can get both benefits at the same time , disability benefits and survivor benefits if you are 60 or older

[@eugenelane3291]

Is every previous spouse who was married ten years eligable. Can multiple people including the current spouse collect spousal off one person

[@penelope5500]

It's possible. If they meet all of the requirements then they are elig. to draw.

[@okdk7]

just need to have been married for 10 years and not remarry .... There is something about being able to marry at 60 but I am not sure how that part works... EXes can take early benefits without worrying about if he is collecting... current spouse can not until he is drawing... or THEIR OWN...

[@stephaniekidoodles7655]

Can I use my own benefit until I reach FRA and then switch to full widow's benefit?

[@TheMedicareFamily]

Yes you can!

[@stephaniekidoodles7655]

@@TheMedicareFamily such a relief! So next year I turn 62 and would like to start taking my own SS but was afraid if my husband dies before I get to FRA I would be getting less. Now I understand I can stay on my own. I thought I would be forced to take spousal benefit and automatically put to reduced widows benefit if he dies before I am of age. Thank you for the information

[@janetmartin9372]

​@@stephaniekidoodles7655survivors benefits are not reduced by you taking your ss early. You can switch later. Spousal benefits are permanently reduced for taking early.

[@stephaniekidoodles7655]

I just learned my own benefit will be tiny. My husband started at 70. If I take spousal support early (62) and my husband dies when I am 65, will I be forced to take a reduced widow's benefit?

[@greeneyes7612]

So if he starts drawing at 62 and passes and I want to start drawing at 62 I will only get a percentage of what he was drawing?

[@arthurneroshchin5015]

Still no cheat sheet. Tried 3 times and checked my spam

[@lunawolf]

Hi, I am 60 and trying to decide if I want to file next year when I am 61. I am still working and I know about the payback etc, but I will still make about $6200 more a year than I do now. I have had an appointment 3 times with SS, 1 time was useless the person had no idea what she was doing. I have 1 final question to SS, have to make another appointment unless you can help me is this. I work for a Municipality, No ss taken out, have a pension. But I will not be fully vested for another 6 years and I will not be there that long, 2 years tops. I was planning on taking my pension in 1 lump some, pay the 20% in taxes. SS tells my that my monthly amount will be reduced depending on my pension I called my retirement board and they said no, you are putting into the pension, but you don not "have" a pension yet. No where does it say I have a pension. So will my pension be deducted once I cash out in 2 years???? So confused.

[@suzzylouloudougherty5237]

I know the funeral director couldn't believe that they haven't changed the cost since 1930 something

[@FloritaRicaporte]

My husband died recently 4:14 March 16 2024.he is dual citizen Fil am.before we got married un 1995 he indergo 3 marriages but legally divorced.What. Are the benfits entitled to me as a legal wife .But i am living in the Philippines i was not able to live in U..S since we got married beacause my husband is always get sick until he died shall i entitled to get his survivorship.pension? In what way what are the things to do in order to get the benefits of my husband.

[@markdavis1116]

No benefits for non citizens

[@TheMedicareFamily]

Yes. Contact us embassy

[@FloritaRicaporte]

@@TheMedicareFamily thank you for d great advice Ma'am.

[@jennebebbelnas1402]

My husband is a US citizen from California he pass away this March 14 2024,he was born on march 29,1939,he received his social security and his retirement pension.we married on may 25,2022.i am 48 years old.what will I do I don't have work,can I claim his retirement pension it can be transferred for me?. please I need help.i am a Filipino I don't know what to do,

[@pearlperlitavenegas2023]

Do you have all of his information & marriage certificate? Go to the US embassy to ask for help

[@irismorris8499]

in order to get an appointment you have to do it online on the Philippines US Embassy page. It'll take them about 2-3 weeks to reply. I've tried calling them numerous times but was never successful. Hope you've already been assisted.

[@frankseifert658]

Hello apply to us embassy manila a widower widow visa so u can go american if ixonly twoyears go

[@MsHawks111]

My husband died at 55 making 124 thousand a yr. Ill be 60 in two yrs. Im confused in 2 yrs he woulf of been64. Im i collecting on my age ir his

[@TheMedicareFamily]

You can collect as a Widow or Survivors Benefits at age 60 if not working ft making over the annual earned income limit

[@okdk7]

EX Spouse , married 18 years.... Is the death benefit higher than half of his full age (67) benefit ? How much higher I wonder ? I never re married and will be 62 in 2025. I would rather, for my kids sake , not have this happen of course...but what if ?

[@janetmartin9372]

Death benefit is a one time payment to the wife like 255 dollars or something crazy small. You can get spousal while he is alive it maxes out at 50 percent at your full retirement age. Survivors can be 100 percent at your full retirement age. Lots of little twists in there so be sure to check out all the details.

[@GLo-ww4hb]

This video is broken

[@teribunker5223]

So I need to go to my ex’s funeral home & give my ss#, whether I’m drawing off him or not?

[@casanders9098]

Not your SS#, his SS#.

[@kf1000]

No. You need to go to a social security office

[@brenda7799]

I have wasted time listening to several of these videos and NOT ONE explains when both people are over 65 and on SS and the husband passes. Does the surviving wife get an increase? Seems simple but it’s never explained in any videos.

[@Simsane]

Yes. My husband turned 67 last December (2023) and was collecting his Social Security and I started collecting mine when I turned 62 so we were both on Social Security when my husband died in January (2024) two days before I turned 66. I HAD been receiving about $900 in my SS checks and he had been receiving about $1,600 in his. I do not get what we were getting together but I am now getting $1,745 so yes, I am getting more than I was getting in just my check. The closer the surviving spouse is to their own full retirement age, the higher the percentage of their spouse's check they get. If I had waited to claim survivor benefits until next month (August 2024 - my full retirement age) I would have received more but I couldn't afford to wait as I couldn't get by on just my $900 a month.

[@deecee901]

Who's ever is more..you'll get the difference.

[@janetmartin9372]

When one passes the other keeps the equivalent of the larger payment. You only get to keep one ss payment but you can keep whichever spouse is higher.

[@TheMedicareFamily]

Let me know what you think about the video in the comments below! Get my FREE Cheat Sheet, Workshop, and other tools here: linktr.ee/medicare.mama

[@The.Hawaiian.Kingdom]

Could you please repost this video or redo it, it glitches and skips.

[@katrinagarland5219]

Please spend the extra $75 per side for NON-REFLECTIVE GLASS in your glasses. They make a huge difference in person and certainly on camera. Just trying to help. Thanks for all of your wisdom.

[@Ellewatch-y3j]

Very glitchy video 🫤

[@TheMedicareFamily]

Sorry 😢

[@Ellewatch-y3j]

@@TheMedicareFamily no tears necessary 🫤