Retirement bottom line: Many will have to work until 70

[happyslug]

19. It is called the Widow's share" of his SS Survivor's benefit

The Survivor's benefit is a set amount roughly equal to half of his own Social Security amount, which is divided equally among all of his "survivors". i.e. if he has two "Survivors" each get on half of the survivor's total, if five survivors, each get 1/5th of the Survivor amount.

Survivors include any child under 18, any child ruled to be disabled before age 22, any spouse one is married to OR had been married to for ten years of more. Any parent who has a child under age 16 is another "Survivor" as that term in used by Social Security.

One can only claim Survivor's benefits if one's own Social Security is lower (i.e. you get which ever is higher NOT bot).

As to widow's benefit, the widow (or widower) must be over age 60 (or age 50 if disabled, i.e. can no longer work).

Just some guidelines to understand the benefit, I would still make an appilication even if you do NOT think you meet the above, some other regulation may be applicable, so I would advise anyone to make the application and see if one is rejected.