- How It Works
- ServicesServicesOverviewChoose the right level of support for your plan and needsExpert ReviewA comprehensive review of inputs and reports to get you on the right pathFiling AssistanceLet our experts deal with Social Security for youClawback AssistanceFor those who need help fighting a Social Security benefit clawback
.png)
- Why Choose Us
- ResourcesResourcesBlogTODOBooksFrom the world-renowned economist behind Maximize My Social SecurityWebinars & PodcastsExpert tips and guides to help you get the maximum from Maximize My Social SecurtyArticlesIn-depth commentary on Social Security from our founderAsk LarryThousands of questions answered by our Social Security expertsFAQYour most pressing questions answered
- Pricing
Ask Larry
Our Social Security experts have answered more than 10,000 questions about Social Security over many years. Search for your questions and answers here.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Widow's Benefits
April 26, 2023
If I Wait Until Age 70 To Collect My Deceased Husband's Benefits Will It Include DRCs?
March 28, 2023
Is It True That I Can't Collect My Deceased Husband's Benefits For More Than The Past Nine Months?
March 27, 2023
Will I Be Unable To Collect Widow's Benefits From My Second Husband's Social Security Since We Married Before I Reached Age 60?
March 3, 2023
If I Wait To Collect My Deceased Husband's Benefits Will COLA Increases Be Added To His Benefit Amount?
February 27, 2023
Will I Receive The 2023 COLA If I Am A Widow And My Husband Died In 2019?
February 1, 2023
Can I Expect To Receive A Higher Widow's Rate Than I Was Told Last Week?
January 21, 2023
Will I Be Eligible For Widow's Benefits If Something Happens To My Husband?
December 19, 2022
If I Pass Away Would My Wife Be Able To Collect On My Social Security Record When She Reaches Age 60?
December 1, 2022
Do You Think It Will Do Me Any Good For Me To Appeal Social Security's Denial Of Widow's Benefits?
October 21, 2022
If I Die Before Age 70 Can My Wife Wait Until I Would Have Reached 70 To Maximize Her Widow's Rate?
October 7, 2022
Does Claiming Spousal Benefits Early Also Reduce Your Subsequent Widow's Benefit Rate?
August 25, 2022
If My Husband Dies Before Me Will I Collect The Larger Of Our Two Social Security Amounts?
August 17, 2022
As A Widow Am I Eligible For Any Type Of Benefit Under My Husband's Credits?
August 16, 2022
If I Marry Again Will My New Wife Be Eligible For Widow's Benefits Upon My Death?
August 13, 2022
Will I Collect My Husband's Full Amount If I Start Drawing Widow's Benefits At Age 60?
August 3, 2022
If My Wife Starts Drawing Spousal Benefits Before Her Full Retirement Age Would She Still Get My Full Amount If I Die First?
August 2, 2022
Isn't My Mom Entitled To Both Her Own Benefit And My Deceased Dad's Full Benefit?
June 17, 2022
Is It Correct That I Must Wait Until Age 60 To Draw Benefits On My Husband's Account?
June 15, 2022
Is There Anything I Can Do To Collect My Deceased Husband's Social Security?
May 13, 2022
If I Die Before Claiming Benefits, At What Age Would My Wife Claim Widow's Benefits In Order To Get My Full Age 70 Amount?
April 4, 2022
Am I Eligible To Receive A Social Security Survivor Benefit While I Continue To Work?
February 24, 2022
If I Die Before My Wife Will She Get My Full Benefit Amount Or The Amount I Received At Age 66?
February 23, 2022
Am I Entitled To Claim Widow's Benefits At Age 60 Based On A Same-Sex Marriage?
February 8, 2022
Is A COVID Delay Grounds For Appealing The 9-Month Rule For Survivor Benefits?
January 26, 2022
If I Start Drawing At 62 And Then Die, Would My Wife Get 82.5% Of My FRA Amount If She Takes Survivor Benefits At Age 62.8?
January 24, 2022
Can You Confirm At What Age My Sister Is Entitled To Receive Her Maximum Widow's Rate?
January 15, 2022
Can I Still Get Survivor Benefits If My Husband And I Weren't Living Together?
January 12, 2022
Is It True That My Wife Must Be Full Retirement Age To Receive My Full Benefit Amount If I Die?
January 6, 2022
Can I Receive Widow's Benefits With COLAs And Delayed Retirement Credits?
December 28, 2021
If A Widow Claims Benefits At Age 60 How Is Their Benefit Rate Calculated?
December 20, 2021
Can I Get Retroactive Widow's Benefits If My Spouse Died Six Years Ago?
December 12, 2021
If I'm Collecting Widow's Benefits At Age 64 Will I Ever Get The Full Amount?
November 11, 2021
Can I File For My Deceased Husband's SS If We Were Only Married For About Six Weeks?
September 28, 2021
Is It Correct That My Mother In Law's Age 60 Widow's Benefit Would Be 71.5% Of My Father In Law's Reduced Benefit Rate?
August 25, 2021
Would I Qualify For Receiving My Deceased Husband's SS When I Turn Age 62?
August 13, 2021
Will I Be Able To Collect A Percentage Of My Deceased Husband's Social Security If I Earn $40,000 Next Year?
August 10, 2021
Am I Allowed To Apply For My Deceased Husband's SS If I Draw Retirement Money From The California Teacher's Retirement System?
July 28, 2021
What Is The Earliest That My Wife Can Switch To A Survivor Benefit And Get The Full Amount That I Was Getting?
June 29, 2021
Will The Amount Of My Widow's Benefit Be Adjusted To Account For The COLAs Occurring Until I Reach Retirement Age?
June 28, 2021
Is It Correct That I Make Too Much To Get Benefits From My Deceased Husband's Record?
June 27, 2021
When I Turn 66 Will I Still Get My Husband's Reduced Amount Instead Of His Full Amount?
June 19, 2021
Can I Collect My Husband's Social Security Benefits If He Passes Away When I'm 55 Years Old?
May 28, 2021
If Something Happens To My Husband, Will I Be Able To Get His Amount Of SS In Place Of Mine?
About the Author
Laurence J. Kotlikoff
Laurence J. Kotlikoff is a William Fairfield Warren Professor and Professor of Economics at Boston University, a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, a Fellow of the Econometric Society, and a Research Associate of the National Bureau of Economic Research.
Professor Kotlikoff received his B.A. in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania in 1973 and his Ph.D. in Economics from Harvard University in 1977. Kotlikoff is the Director of the Fiscal Analysis Center.
A New York Times Bestselling author, he has written nineteen books and hundreds of professional articles and op-eds. He is a frequent television and radio guest. His columns have appeared in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, London Financial Times, the Boston Globe, Bloomberg, Forbes, Yahoo.com, Fortune, and other major publications. In 2014, The Economist named him one of the world's 25 most influential economists