Who can receive Survivors Benefits?
Certain members of your family may be eligible
for benefits on your Social security record !f you
earned enough credits while you were working.
Family members who can collect benefits
include:
Benefits
include:
|
A widow or widower who is 60
or older;
|
A widow or widower who is 50 or older and disabled;
|
A widow or widower of any age
if she or he is caring for a child under the age
of 16 or a disabled child who is receiving Social
Security Benefits
|
Children if they are unmarried
and under the
age of 18; Under the age of 19, but in an
elementary or secondary school as a full-time
student; or Age 18 or older and severely
disabled (the disability must have started before
age 22); and your parents, if they were
dependent on you for at least half of their
support. |
|
Special One-Time Death Benefits
There is a one time benefit of $255 that is paid after your
death.
This benefit is paid only to a surviving spouse or
minor children.
How much will your survivors get?
Your survivors receive a percentage of your
basic Social Security Benefit- Usually in the
range from 75 to 100 percent each. However,
there is a limit to the amount of money that can
be paid each month to a family. The limit varies,
but is generally equal to about 150 to 180
percent of your benefit rate. If the sum of the
benefits payable to your surviving family
members is greater than this limit, the benefits
to your family will be reduced proportionately.
Benefits to Divorced Widows and
Widowers:
If you are divorced (Even if you hqve
remarried), your ex-spouse will be eligible for
benefits on your record when you die. In order
to qualify, your ex-spouse must:
Your
ex-spouse must:
|
Be at least 60 yrs. Old (Or
50 if disabled) and
have been married to you for at least 10 years.
|
Be any age if caring for a child who is eligible
for benefits on your record.
|
Not be eligible for an equal
or higher benefit
on his/her own record; and
|
Not be currently married, unless the
remarriage occurred after age 60--or 50 for
disabled widows.
|
|
