Q & A
When a person who has worked and paid Social Security taxes dies, who is eligible for survivors benefits?
Answer: Social Security survivors benefits can be paid to:
• Widows or widowers – unreduced benefits at full retirement age, or reduced benefits as early as age 60
• Disabled widows or widowers – as early as age 50
• Widows or widowers at any age if they take care of the deceased’s child who is under age 16 or disabled and receiving Social Security benefits
• Unmarried children under age 18, or up to age 19 if they are attending secondary school full time. Under certain circumstances, benefits can be paid to stepchildren and grandchildren
• Children at any age who were disabled before age 22 and remain disabled
• Dependent parents age 62 or older.
Even if you are divorced, you still may qualify for survivors benefits. For more information, go to www.socialsecurity.gov.
Source: Gregory Holmes, via timesfreepress.com - 5/29/2014
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