age 60
Your widow or widower can get reduced benefits as early as age 60. If your surviving spouse is disabled, benefits can begin as early as age 50. For more information on widows, widowers, and other survivors, visit
Is SSI the same as widows benefits?
A widow with low income and limited assets may receive payments from the Supplemental Security Income ( SSI ) program in addition to her Social Security benefits, provided the widow is aged 65 or older, or disabled.
Can you receive SSI and survivor benefits at the same time?
Social Security allows you to claim both a retirement and a survivor benefit at the same time, but the two won’t be added together to produce a bigger payment; you will receive the higher of the two amounts.
What percentage of Social Security does widow get?
Widow or widower, full retirement age or older—100 percent of your benefit amount. Widow or widower, age 60 to full retirement age—71½ to 99 percent of your basic amount. Disabled widow or widower, age 50 through 59—71½ percent.
What to know when applying for widow’s benefits?
Who qualifies for Social Security spousal death benefits? 1 Be at least 60 years old 2 Be the widow or widower of a fully insured worker 3 Have been married at least 9 months to the deceased 4 Not be entitled to an equal or higher Social Security retirement benefit based on your own work
Can a widow collect Social Security and still work?
Can I collect widow’s benefits and still work? Yes. Social Security survivor benefits for a working spouse work the same way as if you are retired. You can collect the survivor benefits even if you are working, then switch to your own Social Security once you retire. What about your Social Security benefits?
Is the excess widow benefit the same as full widow benefit?
The excess widow benefit is the difference between your reduced full widow benefit and your own disability benefit. This is not formally called deeming, but it has a similar impact insofar as you can no longer collect a full widow benefit by itself.
What’s the maximum amount SSA can pay to a surviving spouse?
The limit varies, but it is generally equal to between 150 and 180 percent of the basic benefit rate. If the sum of the benefits payable to family members is greater than this limit, the benefits will be reduced proportionately. (Any benefits paid to a surviving divorced spouse based on disability or age won’t count toward this maximum amount.)
