Yet Another Social Security Question (husband, benefits, best, widow)

[maggie2101]

I will be 62 in September at which time I was planning to file. My husband was 57 at the time of his death this past Friday. He was on SSDI, which I know will cease. What happens now? can I collect his SS or do I have to wait until he would have reached retirement age?

[maggie2101]

Anyone?

[mathjak107]

I believe at 62 you get 81% of his benefit

[maggie2101]

Originally Posted by mathjak107

I believe at 62 you get 81% of his benefit

Okay, thank you.

[mathjak107]

Is your regular ss benefit higher? You would get your 62 early benefit if you chose that

[maggie2101]

No, his would be much higher.

[lenora]

Originally Posted by maggie2101

I will be 62 in September at which time I was planning to file. My husband was 57 at the time of his death this past Friday. He was on SSDI, which I know will cease. What happens now? can I collect his SS or do I have to wait until he would have reached retirement age?

You can collect now. However, your benefit will be significantly reduced because you have not yet reached your full retirement age.

ETA: I didn't see Mathjak's response before I posted. Feel free to ignore mine.

[loves2read]

Doesn't new policy mean that she is automatically going to file for her benefit when she files for widow benefit?

[mathjak107]

Deemed filed does not apply to widows .they still have the ability to pick and choose

[Cecilia_Rose]

Originally Posted by maggie2101

I will be 62 in September at which time I was planning to file. My husband was 57 at the time of his death this past Friday. He was on SSDI, which I know will cease. What happens now? can I collect his SS or do I have to wait until he would have reached retirement age?

From personal experience I can tell you that the rules are different for SSDI. SSDI is the amount that the person would get at their FRA so SS looks at them like they are at FRA.

This is from the ssa.gov site . Sounds like you don't have to wait to me. I would get to the SS office as soon as possible just in case some of the new rules kick in. You need to speak to someone there to find out all your options and make sure you get the best benefit.

•Widow or widower, age 60 to full retirement age -- 71½ to 99 percent of basic amount;
https://www.ssa.gov/planners/survivors/onyourown5.html


How I found this out is I filed for spousal at my FRA age 66 on my husband age 64 just to see what would happen. I figured I might get some kind of reduced benefit before the new law kicks in. What I found out is that since he is on SSDI and was considered to be at FRA that I am eligible for full spousal benefits. I have always planned on taking my own SS at 70.