Homepage
-- Programs and Services -- Contact Information
A way
for caregivers to care for each other
Tips for safe driving
Aging well
Earth Angels
offer special three shows
Elder advocacy makes a
difference
A good choice to have…
Greylock golf tournament benefits Meals on Wheels
Looking for a part-time employment opportunity?
Making healthy choices
When your marital status
changes
When your marital status changes
By Linda Wilcox
Many people receive their Social Security checks based on the work record of their spouse. If, for example, a husband retires and starts receiving his check, his wife can start their monthly benefits as early as age 62. When benefits are begun before full retirement age, they are paid at a reduced rate for as long as they continue.
If the husband dies, a widow can receive a surviving spouse’s benefit. This will be a higher payment than was payable when the husband was living. The amount may be paid at a reduced rate if the widow is still below full retirement age, or may be the amount the husband was receiving if the widow is at least full retirement age at the time of the death.
Sometimes both members of a couple have worked outside the home, and both are eligible for Social Security checks because of their own work. In the event of the death of a spouse, the survivor may be entitled to a higher benefit as a widow or widower. These survivor benefits would be paid at the same rate as mentioned above.
If you are divorced, you can receive benefits on your ex-husband’s Social Security record if he is receiving Social Security benefits and:
- your marriage lasted 10 years or longer,
- you are presently unmarried,
- you are age 62 or older and
- you are not entitled to a benefit on your own record which exceeds one-half of your ex-husband’s unreduced benefit.
If your ex-husband is deceased, your benefits can be the same as a widow’s, if you meet the above criteria. The amount of benefits you receive as a divorced spouse does not affect the amount of benefits another spouse receives on your ex-husband’s record. Also, there may be circumstances when you could collect on an ex-husband’s record if he is still working. You should ask about that when you are getting ready to file for social security benefits. We always ask about former spouses, as well, whenever an application is filed.
Sometimes your own benefit is higher than you could collect on your ex-husband’s record while he is living. If you later learn that he is deceased, you should contact a Social Security office to see if you could be entitled to a higher benefit as a surviving divorced spouse. Those benefits are determined the same way as a widow’s benefit.
We should note that the same conditions apply to a husband whose eligibility for benefits is based on his wife’s or ex-wife’s Social Security record.
If you need to report the death of someone who was receiving Social Security checks, you can call or visit a local Social Security office. The Pittsfield office is located at 78 Center Street, and the phone number is 499-2432. In North Adams the office is located at 37 Main Street and the telephone number is 664-7951. Office hours at both offices are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. You can also call toll-free 1-800-772-1213 to make your report.
Linda Wilcox is District Manager for the Social Security Office in Pittsfield.