Unraveling the rules about Social Security survivor benefits

The rules governing Social Security survivor benefits are often a conundrum to those struggling with the loss of a spouse. In addition to dealing with the emotional stress of losing someone they love, worrying about how, if and when they should claim Social Security as a survivor can certainly add to the already difficult personal circumstances they’re now faced with. And unfortunately, turning to the Social Security Administration doesn’t usually provide a clear picture of the various rules and regulations governing these benefits, nor of the claiming options one has a surviving spouse. Fortunately, there are other independent resources which can provide clarity on this topic, including this excellent Forbes article by contributor Tom R. Hager, which describes how Social Security survivor benefits work. Click here to read more.
Also, if you’re unsure about your individual situation under Social Security or have questions about your personal benefit entitlements, note that the AMAC Foundation provides an independent free-to-the-public Social Security Advisory service to help Americans navigate the complexities of this program. Learn more about it here…
This posting is presented for informational purposes only and does not represent legal or financial guidance. Any opinions or interpretations presented are either those of the original author or, in the case of articles authored by the AMAC Foundation, are the opinions of AMAC Foundation staff, originally trained and accredited by the National Social Security Association (NSSA) and certified via the AMAC Foundation. Any links included in the article are valid on the posted date; socialsecurityreport.org cannot guarantee the duration of the links’ validity. NSSA and the AMAC Foundation and its staff are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any other governmental entity. To submit a question, visit our website (https://amacfoundation.org/services/) or email us at ssadvisor@amacfoundation.org. Because we are a non-profit organization, there is no charge for these services.
