Q. How can a widow receive Social Security survivors benefits before age 60?
A. People die at all ages, and SSA survivor benefits, not just to widows, can help offset the loss of family income. Nationally as of December 2008, survivors accounted for about 13 percent of everyone receiving Social Security.
In North Dakota, this was about 15 percent and in Minnesota, about 11.5 percent.
People are aware of SSA survivor benefits for children, including disabled adult children, but even young widows or widowers can potentially receive survivor benefits if taking care of the deceased worker's child. The child must be receiving survivor benefits and be younger than age 16 or disabled. Called mother or father benefits, age of the widow or widower is not the basis for these. For example, a widow in her 20s with a minor child at home might receive SSA benefits for both the child and herself. If employed, her earnings could lower her benefits. Survivor benefits to disabled widows or widowers exist as early as age 50, and benefits to surviving divorced spouses are possible.
All of these have specific requirements. Learn more at www.socialsecurity.gov/survivorplan/ifyou.htm .
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Q. Can a person continue receiving Social Security widow or widower survivors benefits if they remarry?
A. This depends on age at remarriage. Usually you cannot receive widow or widower benefits if you remarry before age 60. If remarried after age 60, age 50 if receiving as a disabled widow or widower, you usually can receive them.
Report your marriage to Social Security if receiving benefits. Once age 62 or older, you might be eligible for SSA benefits based on your own or new spouse's work. See Survivor Benefits, SSA publication 05-10084, at www.
socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10084.html. If planning to remarry consider contacting Social Security to discuss your individual situation. Call the SSA national toll-free number, (800) 772-1213 (TTY (800) 325-0778) or your local office.
General information questions can be sent to Howard I. Kossover, SSA, 402 DeMers Ave., Suite 300, Grand Forks ND 58201; phone (701) 772-5518 ext. 200; fax: (701) 772-8622; e-mail: howard.kossover@ssa.gov . Please include the name of the paper in which you read the article. General information also is available on the agency website, www.socialsecurity.gov , or by calling the national toll-free number, (800) 772-1213.
