Ask Larry

I had a hard time understanding the person I talked to on the phone regarding Survivors Benefits.
My wife died in 2017 and I turn 60 on April 10th. My phone appointment is 4/12 and first check I would receive is in June.

Wife wife was on disability for several years.

Are the Payments retroactive for survivors benefits retroactive to April 10th? In other words when I turn 60?

Hi. I'm sorry for your loss. Unless you're disabled, the first month that you could qualify for widower benefits is the month in which you turn age 60. So, assuming that you aren't disabled and if you'll turn 60 on April 10 2022, then April 2022 is the first possible month that you could qualify for widower benefits. Social Security pays benefits a month behind, so your payment for April would be due in May. Therefore, unless your first payment is delayed for some reason, then you wouldn't be eligible for any retroactive benefits.

Your best filing strategy depends on a number of different variables, so you may want to strongly consider using our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) to fully analyze all of your options so that you can make sure to choose the best strategy for maximizing your benefits.

Best, Jerry

Best, Jerry