Social Security: Widows and Widowers

[@Not_A_Tourist]

Unless I overlooked it I didn't see you mention that the person who collects their late spouses security beginning at age 60 has the option later to switch over to their own. For example I began collecting my late wife's Social security when I hit age 60, for the amount of around 1250. When I hit a 62 I can switch over to mine and collect about 1450 or I can wait till I'm 67 and collect 2100. Thank you for your videos they are very helpful.

[@SNOWBALL1277]

Correct he did not mention that

[@BricksVideo]

Plus you can wait until you're 70 to take your benefit. It increases 8% a year from 67 to 70.

[@donnapoolejackofalltrades7827]

Thank you very much for your comment.

[@braxtonbunch]

You did not mention that a widow or widower can get the deceased spouse's social security benefit before age 60 if they have children 16 or under (and the children get a benefit until age 18). I was widowed at age 40 with 6 children. I got social security for 10 years, until my youngest turned 16, and the children each got a benefit until they turned 18. I can claim mine again at age 60 if I haven't remarried, and get a reduced benefit, or get a full benefit by waiting to 67. Once the kids were grown I went to work, so a better option for me is to claim my own reduced benefit at 62 (since my earnings will be lower than his) and switch to full survivor's benefits at 67.

[@pearlperlitavenegas2023]

19 if they're in high school I also become a widow at 40 with 2 kids. I will collect survivor benefits fir 15 years until my youngest turns 16 She will collect until she's 19 & still in high school

[@pearlperlitavenegas2023]

When your children outgrew their benefit how did it affect your payments?

[@rabiamajeed6939]

Plz guide me too

[@braxtonbunch]

@@pearlperlitavenegas2023 The payments were divided equally among the children who still qualified, so that our monthly income remained the same. When my second youngest turned 18 and his payments stopped we no longer qualified for the family maximum and the total income reduced by one third. One month later, when my youngest turned 16, my benefits stopped, which cut that income in half. Then my youngest got her payments another 2 years.

[@Savannah-ed4rv]

There is one exception to the age 60 rule for widows or widowers and that is if that widowed person is on disability, then you can claim on your late spouse's record at the age of 50. I sure it's a reduced amount but I don't know the entire rule on that. But it is an option if you are on disability and widowed and I believe you need to be on disability for some period of time before the spouse died to be eligible, but don't quote me on that. It's been a long time since I looked at it.

[@edhettwer7920]

I think from 50 to 61st birthday, it is 71.5% of spouses PIA

[@harrysastry3636]

thanks for the clarification.

[@dkrob39ify]

Love this info it is very informative thanks.

[@elainenilsson5472]

I like the example of your wife's age. I am 59 and my husband of age 62 just passed. I can collect 71.5% of his SS at full retirement age which is just over $2800/month. 7 years of 71.5% is $168,000. Wouldn't I want to collect that instead of waiting until my age of 67 to collect $2800/month. If I waited, I would be around age 84 before I broke even. I guess the only other question is where does medicare play into this?

[@CardinalAdvisors]

Elaine I’m sorry for the loss of your husband. Your math is sound here. Hans

[@elainenilsson5472]

@@CardinalAdvisors Thank you Hans. You are a good man for making these videos. I am having to take crash courses on all of this, gov't pensions, etc.

[@CardinalAdvisors]

The facts missing. Are you working and for how long? What does your SS earnings record look like? You are eligible for Medicare at 65.

[@elainenilsson5472]

@@CardinalAdvisors I am self employed. I can work as long as I want and control the income. I have Fed BCBS and a Vet so I have the VA and yes medicare at 65. My SS earnings record doesn't look good.

[@CardinalAdvisors]

@@elainenilsson5472 until 67, you need to keep your net income from self employment under $19,000 or else you’ll have to pay back some of the SS.

[@1EArnestKat]

What I'm trying to find out is my husband passed away about a year and a half ago and he was only 53 years old I'm on disability myself so what do I need to do do I have to wait till I'm 62 to be able to file the widow from the widow or I'm confused can you please explain it to me

[@NevaMackey-wc7ux]

What happens when a widow at age 35. Kids and I when he died relieved ( social security said my ssa benefits instead of his) Went back to work after 4 years. Became disabled at 54 yrs. Now what do I do? I'm currently 66, and ssa says I'm going to be on ssdi the rest of my life. Is My ssa gone, really, what about my husbands? Help please.

[@timothythompson4036]

Good video

[@harrysastry3636]

I thought that the survivor benefits of $2800 will continue till her passing away? Why do you say that it will stop when I pass away? I am confused .

[@CardinalAdvisors]

@@harrysastry3636 she will receive $2800 for the rest of her life.

[@harrysastry3636]

Help me please as this question was not discussed. I am 71 and getting social security benefits. My wife is getting spousal benefits which she started getting at age 65 as her own personal benefits would have less than the spousal benefits. I am getting about $2800 monthly and her spousal benefit is about $1100. I have plenty of health issues including Diabetes,BP, heart bypass & Malignant Melanoma. After my death how much spousal survivor benefit will she get? Is it $2800 and $1100? or just 100% of what I have been getting ($2800)? The Social Security office has given TEN different answers. I would be grateful you could answer my question. Thank you very much and pardon any spelling mistakes please

[@CardinalAdvisors]

@@harrysastry3636 If she lives longer than you, she receives your check $2800 for the rest of her life. Her check stops when you pass away.

[@pablohernandez1159]

How about if you’re a widow? You remarry.How long does wife have to be married,in order to collect your SS benefits when you pass away?

[@Elizabeth-qc9gi]

Why are you forgetting that you cannot collect survivors benefits or widow benefits at age 60 or 62 if you are working and making over $21K a year? One year before FRA age 65, you can collect survivors benefits if you are not making over $52K a year? You are not providing an accurate statements.

[@d4v33j]

My wife and I both worked full time and her yearly income was higher than mine. I assume taking her social security at full retirement age would be larger than mine. If I take survivor benefits at age 60 on her social security, I can later switch to my own benefits at full retirement age. However, if I take her survivor benefits at 60, can I switch to what her benefits would be later (greater than mine) or can I only switch to my benefits? I wonder if it may make sense to forgo survivor benefits at 60 and take her social security at full retirement age.

[@CardinalAdvisors]

I would have to look at the numbers. For many in your situation, survivor benefit at 60 and then switch to your benefit at 70.

[@bungageraful]

REPOST: Hi, my mom received a notice of award from SSA "Surviving Spouse" and stated the amount how much she will get monthly. My mom had never been to US so she is required to get there. What visa does she need? or what are other allternative way so she can get her benefits? Thanks..

[@TessCaseysLife]

You can self-petition as an “immediate relative” on Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant. To qualify, you must not have been divorced or legally separated from the U.S. citizen at the time of death. Also, your eligibility to immigrate as a widow(er) ends if you have remarried

[@chafed4518]

Go to US embassy in your Country they have Social Security department

[@carolbober-xk5fi]

My husband recently passed away he was on social security disability am I entitled top his social security disability check pg 2500 per month

[@cathyacosta3452]

I was married to my 1st husband for over 10 years....I collected SSA for myself and my children for the next 14 years. I remarried 14 years after his death. age 46.....Can I claim my 1st husband's SS rather than taking mine..............I was raising children till 50 and my income never met 1st husband income. Can I claim either husband? Both make more than i did? I am now 62.

[@CardinalAdvisors]

My understanding is by remarrying before 60, your current husband is who you can claim spouse benefits on. You cannot claim spouse benefits on him until he claims his benefit.

[@SlotstheMetaphysicalwa]

no because once you re married before age 60 you lose out on the first husband benefits

[@charleskatz1583]

if you're age 54 when spouse dies, in order to get the disabled benefit, would you already have to be seeing a doctor or can you go start seeing a dr after your spouse died?

[@AmericanStuff2024]

Charles: Makes no difference. What makes a huge financial difference is whether you claim on her benefits or your own. Get ALL the details on that. The procedures for attempting to get disability remain identical. The single most important factor in your claim for disability is that you have a physician who knows how to apply the Social Security diagnosis code numbers! Social Security does NOT pay for all disabilities. Social Security only pays for a specific list of disabilities, and those have code numbers.

[@belenvelez7028]

SS benefits of my husband’s that wasn’t awarded to me for I have benefits $5. More than him a month. I also penalized 49% Medicare premium for the reason that I did not enrolled on Medicare when I turned 65 yo, which not true. They deducted a monthly Medicare monthly premium of $ 93 a month started January 2004 until 2008. Then I got a letter penalizing me 49% on my Medicare premiums . My $309 SS BENEFITS WAS BRING TO $42 . If I subscribe for MEDICARE HEALTH SUPPLEMENTAL INSURANCE, I received only $14.95 a month.

[@YomeidaGarza-ku4dx]

I WAS MARRIED TO THREE MEN SO MY HUSBANDS ARE DEAD NOW I ONLY GET ONE HUSBAND SS.BUT I ALSO G 2 MOR CHECK FROM THE GOVERMENT I DONT GET MINE OR MY OTHER TWO I ONLY GET ONE CHECK FROM SS. FROM ONE HUSBAND

[@YomeidaGarza-ku4dx]

WHAT IF YOUR HUSBAND HAS BEENING MARRIED TWICE WHO GETS THE CHECKN WHAT IF THE HUSBAND HAD TOLE SS. THAT HE HAD NEVER TO ANY ONE ELSEN HE HAD BEEN WHt happens then

[@erlindamonte852]

How can i claim my benifits my husband was passed away 2016.he was a ss pensioner

[@MsTruthSeekr1]

I am 66 and at FRA. I started drawing SS at age 62. My husband is 57 and retired. His SS benefits statement shows that I may qualify for benefits (if he died now) IF BENEFITS START AT FULL RETIREMENT AGE. I don't understand that statement. Does this mean I would receive reduced benefits because HE was not at FRA? Or would I receive full benefits because I am at FRA?

[@CardinalAdvisors]

If u live longer than him, you will be eligible for benefits as long as his benefit is larger than yours. You will then lose your benefit and collect his.

[@frankdillon6127]

how quick does the SSA need to be notified that a spouse has died? i ask because many older people arnt knowlegeable or able to resopnd in a timely fashion. if the SSA checks keep rolling in that will cause a SSA payback issue which could be bad.

[@CardinalAdvisors]

The funeral home notifies social security. When the county processes the death certificate, it is entered into a database SS monitors.

[@Ozarks6Freds]

I just turned 60. My wife died 3 months ago at age 53. Are there any social security survivor benefits in this scenario?

[@CardinalAdvisors]

Doug. I’m sorry for your loss. You are first eligible at 60 for the widower benefit. If you’re still working, you are subject to maximum earnings test. You can’t collect 2 checks, either hers at survivor or yours. Call me if I can help 919-535-8261. Hans

[@darrenfarrell8316]

can you receive ssi and survivor benefits at the same time i was getting 841.00 for ssi and 851,00 for survivor benefits

[@CardinalAdvisors]

Can’t receive both. Only one.

[@AmericanStuff2024]

Darren: The way Social Security explained it to me is that one's personal SS account is paid from first, and then the spouse's/ex-spouse's account 'tops off'' to reach the appropriate total. Social Security told me it was just an accounting procedure that made no difference to the receiver.

[@karennelson1643]

What about the Widow's Limit?

[@LorenzoRico777]

Thanks Hans. Valuable info. But, what happens if the widow or widower get remarried? Especially if they remarry before 50, 55 or 60? How does that affect the Social Security Survivor’s Benefit? Thank you.

[@CardinalAdvisors]

If they remarry before 60, they lose the benefit. Thanks

[@LorenzoRico777]

@@CardinalAdvisors Thanks Hans. That is helpful. How about if they Re-Marry AFTER the age of 60? Will they still be able to collect their deceased spouse’s Social Security Benefit for the rest of their life? Appreciate your channel and comments.

[@CardinalAdvisors]

@@LorenzoRico777 yes. For the rest of their life. Remember, you can collect only one Social Security check at a time

[@rhezab8885]

can i get any benefits to my american husband even i never been in the usa and we are married here in philippines please waiting for your answer thanks in advance.

[@maiwurld2578]

Try to go to the US embassy in Manila .

[@miguelbarradas9858]

I am 55 I am widower, she died in 2012 , I will get her survivor benefits when I will be 60 years old , mean wile I plan to work until I am 70 years old, if I am alive, so do you have any advice?

[@CardinalAdvisors]

You can apply for her benefit as a widower at 60 as long as you don’t remarry before 60. Allow your benefit to accumulate to age 70 and then switch over to your benefit. I’m sorry for your loss

[@markdavis1116]

You will be limited in how much money you can earn per yer, under $19,000 currently.

[@AmericanStuff2024]

Miguel: IRS has a 35 page PDF on senior citizen tax rules. It is online. Just search 'senior citizen tax rules.' You will encounter several phases. There will be the phase you are in up until 60. There will be the phase between 60 and 62. There will be the phase between 62 and your full retirement age. There will be the phase between 62 and when you claim your retirement benefits. I had a former classmate who became a widower. He claimed on his wife's account and took short term telecom work assignments and collected unemployment. Because of his age, he was not offered permanent employment. You have the $25,000 and $36,000 taxable income limits to navigate that trigger 15 to 85% if the Social Security becoming taxable at your regular tax level. The calculations are nit even straight forward. You figure 50% if your Social Security and still get deductions and exemptions, so you have to do it step by step with care. The reason is that back in the Reagan administration there was a scandal about retirees buying and eating cat food and dog food because they could not afford USDA inspected meat fit for human consumption. Higher earners pay the tax on Social Security in order to fund current poverty level retirees having food money. So it is up to you or an accountant to figure out your maximum strategy. We have wealthy people in our community who have been advised NIT to buy into Part D Medicare because they have had financial planners run the figures and tell them they will lose money by participating. It is really weird and violates common sense. But you will have enough money at stake that you ought nit guess it assume common sense works with this project. The only way to do this right is to ask Social Security to explain the rules to you for each phase. There definitely are earning limits. If you exceed those, there are financial costs you can't expect to get right until you know the rules for each phase. You will probably need a ROTH retirement account because distributions from ROTH are not taxable. You will also need to know if your State taxes retirement income. There is NO uniformity among States on that. It is fortunate that you have time to learn and plan.

[@donnacrowell7061]

How come I was told I couldn't get it.. We lived together from 1996 married in 2003 he passed in 2005. I'm 65 today.

[@donnacrowell7061]

Do I qualify for widow's benefit

[@AmericanStuff2024]

Donna: Go apply, NOW. The 10 year marriage requirement is for DIVORCED spouses. You died married to him. Go apply. Social Security is waiting for you to decide what age you want to start your benefits paying.

[@Becca-vi9bx]

is a young widow entitled to benifits? she was in her 20s when she became a widow

[@CardinalAdvisors]

If she has children then yes until they are 18. If no children, she is entitled to benefits at 60 if she does not remarry

[@AmericanStuff2024]

Becca: Bush took away the young widow benefits. There used to be young widow benefits, but Bush stopped those.

[@robertstevens2030]

I did not pay into SS. Is there a way I can collect a monthly check too?

[@reubenbass2524]

No

[@jeffspicoli5399]

Fuggin hilarious 😂

[@robertstevens2030]

@@jeffspicoli5399 Jeff your comment is not helpful. I want a Federal welfare check like my neighbors receive.

[@AmericanStuff2024]

Robert: Go to the Social Security office nearest you and APPLY. The minimum is something like $900/mo. Immigrants who become naturalized citizens apply despite NEVER having worked a day in the USA, and they get their check. Citizens disabled from childhood who never worked a day get their check. One Reason Republicans call Social Security welfare is because people who have never worked CAN still collect benefits. Don't listen to nay-sayers. Deal directly with Social Security. Do it this week even.

[@AmericanStuff2024]

​@@reubenbass2524: Ignorant. Naturalized citizens sponsor their elderly parents for citizenship all the time so they can collect Social Security. You are misinformed.

[@roxanneberzas9062]

What if you get SSDI can you get widows benefit

[@CardinalAdvisors]

It’s one or the other. Whichever is more

[@AmericanStuff2024]

Roxanne: I was told by Social Security during an in person interview that ALL disability payments are automatically switched over to the person's retirement account at age 62. Furthermore, IF the person had a retired spouse/ex-spouse from a 10+year marriage, the disabled person gets to pick how long to delay the spouse/ex-spouse benefits to maximize the amount of income. The firmer spouse's benefits TOP OFF the disabled person's benefits. You need to go talk to Social Security and make the arrangements you want, depending on what options Social Security tells you that you have! I've been there.

[@terrancsodoms88]

My wife died recently, we were married for 24 yrs.I'm 49 and on ssd disability and wondering am I able to collect her social security at a reduced rate

[@deecee901]

Yes because you're disabled. 50 is the qualifying age

[@AmericanStuff2024]

Terrance: Go talk to Social Security. Your disability payments could be larger than your survivor benefits. Social Security will compare your earnings record and her earnings records and tell you the options you have. Remember though that Bush changed the age at which survivor benefits can be claimed. Bush ended the young widower benefits and made the survivor benefits age 60 unless there are minor children. When in doubt, get your info directly from Social Security.

[@donnapoolejackofalltrades7827]

I think if you have ex spouse you should be able to get their SSA even if you was not marry for ten years . I think it time to change this law . I also think if you have a children out of we'd lock you should be able to draw that person SSA too . It time to change the law about SSA about being marry for ten years .

[@AmericanStuff2024]

Donna: Originally, the requirement was 20 years.

[@donnapoolejackofalltrades7827]

@@AmericanStuff2024 My dad die and my mom was marry for ten year back in the 60s.

[@erlindamonte852]

Im. Already 63 yir old

[@AmericanStuff2024]

Erlin: Relevant to what?

[@dipaknadkarni62]

My wife died on active duty. I was 55 and she was 58. I got a check from SS for $200.00. The check should maybe be increased as the COLA rises. It seems that it might be the original check amount when SS started. God bless.

[@bobbert1945]

widow or widower? SS did not make up those terms--they've existed far before you were born.

[@AmericanStuff2024]

Bob: Surviving spouse is a term that works.

[@richardargst157]

Greedy seniors. A wife or husband passes away and we are interested in spousal benefits. Shameful behavior.

[@rebeccaconnor3229]

Very moralistic of you. Your judgments are not helpful.

[@AmericanStuff2024]

Richard: I guess you are uninformed about the poverty rate in the USA being highest among those younger than 18 and older than 60. I guess you are uninformed about the rate of homelessness among those 50+. You should spend a couple of hours a week watching vanlife and van conversion KZbin videos and grow a heart. You dislike the idea of an ex-wife (or 2 or 3) cashing in on your own mortality? Minimum Social Security benefits will only pay for living in a used vehicle and having food and gas. That is hardly greed.

[@cindimccullough1951]

Has this guy been drinking?

[@CardinalAdvisors]

Thank you for that Cindi. I stopped drinking in 2003. One day at a time. Hans

[@cindimccullough1951]

I believe in you! One day at a time that’s all we can do.

[@jordanbey1890]

A person collecting widow benefits can it lose those benefits if remarried????

[@CardinalAdvisors]

As long as they remarry age 60 and older

[@AmericanStuff2024]

Jordan: To retain benefits, they must wait until they turn 60. After reaching 60, they are permitted to marry. That is because having 80 year olds 'living in sin' offended voters.

[@011219551]

How hard is it for the SSA to find the correct SS# for a spouse that died in 1992? I'm now 67, my x & I were married 11 years. I just found out he died from my SSA lady, that was helping me. My phone appt. is set up for Aug. 11th. Just wondering how hard it is to find all the correct SS#'s. Thanks for your help!!!

[@CardinalAdvisors]

Get in touch with the county you were married in and request a copy of your marriage certificate. Do the same from the county you were divorced. An old joint tax return would have his number. SSA should be able to find it.

[@AmericanStuff2024]

If you filed income taxes together, Social Security already has the spouse's Social Security number in your file.