topic Re: Social Security question in Wellness

Social Security question

Lacey1 — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 17:40:22 GMT

Could someone help with something? Are disabled spouses (under the age of 65) entitled to monthly SS benefits if their spouse dies before reaching retirement age?

In other words: Wife is 56 y.o., and is on full medical disability. Husband was 55 years old, still working when he died. Is wife entitled to survivor's monthly benefits?

The reason I'm asking- I'm confused about the one-time death payment of two hundred, some dollars and monthly benefits.

Thank you for your help. the SS website is confusing to navigate.

Re: Social Security question

CharliF — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 17:55:48 GMT

Try this link:

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/survivorplan/onyourown2.htm

Widows cannot apply for benefits online -- you'll need to visit your local social security office.

Re: Social Security question

adelle38 — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 17:56:17 GMT

You should give Social Security a call about your particular situation. My interpretation is once you hit 65, either your or your late husband's benefits, whichever is greater, will replace disability. That's just my take on it but give them a call.

Re: Social Security question

qualitygal — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 18:06:13 GMT

lacey,

I'd suggest calling your local office in case there's something you need to know further. I have learned in my life to go straight to the source and get your correct answer once. I could only give you info how it worked in my family. You can ask them more questions if you call them directly. It saves so much time to go right to the source and you can get your questions answered.

Re: Social Security question

MalteseMomma — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 18:12:03 GMT

Unless rules have changed,you do not have to go in person ,I did mine over the phone.

Re: Social Security question

StylishLady — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 18:14:05 GMT

A visit to the local SS office is an eye opener in itself. Still my personal experiences have been positive. I wish you the same.

Re: Social Security question

Nightowlz — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 18:17:16 GMT

I know my SIL not disabled could not collect survivor benefits when my brother her husband died. She had to wait until she was 62 to collect.

Re: Social Security question

Tissyanne — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 20:32:44 GMT

Social Security has a website that gives the details you are asking about. A disabled spouse can collect as early as age 50, but must have been disabled for a certain period of time before the spouse death.

Re: Social Security question

Lacey1 — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 21:11:04 GMT

On 10/28/2014 Tissyanne said: Social Security has a website that gives the details you are asking about. A disabled spouse can collect as early as age 50, but must have been disabled for a certain period of time before the spouse death.

Thank you for the tip. I have read the website and find it confusing. I guess my question is: If I am on total disability(disability started 4 years ago), and already collecting SSI, at 56 years of age-and my working spouse has died at age 55-am I entitled to any other monthly benefits? I do have an appt. with the SS office, but I was just wondering if someone had first hand experience with this.

Re: Social Security question

151949 — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 21:48:33 GMT

I would think that , like anyone else, she would have to put in a claim and go through the process.

Re: Social Security question

Lacey1 — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 21:55:43 GMT

On 10/28/2014 happy housewife said:
I would think that , like anyone else, she would have to put in a claim and go through the process.

As usual, thanks for the help. BTW: I thought HH had me blocked?

Re: Social Security question

cascol — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 21:59:23 GMT

It sounds like you want to collect SS on your own record plus additional money on your husband's record. As far as I know, you can only collect on one record, generally the highest under any situation. Check with SS.

Re: Social Security question

bikerbabe — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 22:09:57 GMT

You can collect a monthly Widows benefit or you can collect Social Security on your own work record. I believe you can choose whichever one is higher but you cannot collect both simultaneously.

Re: Social Security question

Lacey1 — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 22:15:31 GMT

Thanks, that's what I'm seeing. One or the other, but not both. I'm on the wait list for SS to call back. They said approximately an hour and a half.

It's kind of unfair, I'm very unlikely to live to my scheduled retirement age (66 years, 7 months), so all the money that spouse paid into SS will go back into the pot.

Re: Social Security question

Nuttmeg — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 22:46:12 GMT

On 10/28/2014 lacey1 said:
On 10/28/2014 Tissyanne said: Social Security has a website that gives the details you are asking about. A disabled spouse can collect as early as age 50, but must have been disabled for a certain period of time before the spouse death.

Thank you for the tip. I have read the website and find it confusing. I guess my question is: If I am on total disability(disability started 4 years ago), and already collecting SSI, at 56 years of age-and my working spouse has died at age 55-am I entitled to any other monthly benefits? I do have an appt. with the SS office, but I was just wondering if someone had first hand experience with this.

This is the best way to get the information. Do you know what documents you need to take to your appointment?

Re: Social Security question

SeattleShopper1 — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 22:49:46 GMT

Suggestions: First, determine location of your nearest Social Security Office. Call the SS Office first to determine types of paperwork/information to bring with you. Plan on visiting the SS Office In Person and bring appropriate paperwork with you. Yes, this may take several hours, but it is worth it. (Maybe bring something interesting along to read) My local SS Office experience was very positive several years ago. The person helping me even analyzed (on paper) several different scenarios depending on timelines and choices. Also, I strongly recommend setting up a Separate checking/savings account because one is better off with electronic deposit of funds so you know Exactly what is happening with your funds. After you make your final decision about how to go about this--(take your time making a decision, because often changing SS decisions is difficult) the SS Office will probably have you go on-line to fill in the information. So, perhaps fill out all the forms ON PAPER first, then go on-line. One usually needs a SEPARATE User Name & Password to set up this account. WRITE DOWN and KEEP this information in a Safe Place and be careful sharing with others. Wish you the very best in this new adventure.

Re: Social Security question

LeaLeander — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 22:58:49 GMT

SS is not designed to be "fair."

I am single and singles can't designate beneficiaries, so if I die all the money goes back into the "pot" as well. I really don't see why it should be different for someone who happens to have been married.

In fact, married and childed people do a lot better out of SS. About 8 million kids are on some sort of SS now; obviously that money is partly paid for by the child free who are not creating that sort of liability for the system, either via disability of the child or the potential for the child to collect survivor's benefits.

And even non-contributing SAH spouses can collect SS and Medicare on retirement. That's a 50 percent income boost for a household in SS payments alone, let alone the value of the health care.

In order words, say I make $50,000 and pay my FICA taxes on that and collect, just for a round number, $1,000 a month at retirement plus Medicare for one person. The people next door -- a never-worked SAH spouse and her husband who makes $50,000 same as me, will collect $1,500 a month plus Medicare for two people. Same contributions, 50 percent better retirement income and all the health care for an extra person. Just because they married and made a private deal way back when that she would not contribute to the general good but rather live off his support.

I don't get how that is fair to those of us who get less while paying the full freight. And I certainly don't think anyone should be able to collect off two accounts.

No offense to the OP, I hope things work out for you, but when people complain about taxes and entitlement programs they ought to try being one of the cash cows of both the SS and federal income tax system: the single and childfree.

Re: Social Security question

Lacey1 — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 23:31:38 GMT

Well, everyone can calm down. After being on an hour and 1/2 wait list, someone from SS called back. I will get nothing else besides what I receive now. Maybe my question will have helped someone else in the same situation. This SS business is as new to me, as when I was unemployed for the first and only time in my life. I was a total newbie and asked a lot of stupid questions.

Re: Social Security question

adelle38 — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 23:42:42 GMT

On 10/28/2014 lacey1 said:
Well, everyone can calm down. After being on an hour and 1/2 wait list, someone from SS called back. I will get nothing else besides what I receive now. Maybe my question will have helped someone else in the same situation. This SS business is as new to me, as when I was unemployed for the first and only time in my life. I was a total newbie and asked a lot of stupid questions.

They weren't stupid questions. How would you know if you didn't ask?

Re: Social Security question

151949 — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 23:53:15 GMT

On 10/28/2014 adelle38 said:
On 10/28/2014 lacey1 said:
Well, everyone can calm down. After being on an hour and 1/2 wait list, someone from SS called back. I will get nothing else besides what I receive now. Maybe my question will have helped someone else in the same situation. This SS business is as new to me, as when I was unemployed for the first and only time in my life. I was a total newbie and asked a lot of stupid questions.

They weren't stupid questions. How would you know if you didn't ask?

Lacey, I believe when you are 60 you will have the choice to either collect your DH's or continue to collect your SSD - whichever is larger. Apparently you must have worked the required 40 quarters in order to collect SSD.