Widows are eligible to receive a benefit called the surviving spousal Social Security benefit. The rules are very generous, which is great. However, there are a few things you should know.
My benefit or theirs?
You can either collect your personal Social Security benefit amount OR up to 100% of what your late spouse would be collecting. In fact, you can switch back and forth between the two! Note, there is also a tiny death benefit of $255 you are eligible for.
When can you start collecting?
You can start receiving this widow Social Security benefit as soon as age 60, just know the benefit would be reduced.
Want to say "I do" again?
What happens to your surviving spousal Social Security benefit if you remarry? Well, you can continue to be eligible for the surviving spousal benefit so long as you remarry after the age of 60.
We had only just begun.
Perhaps most interesting of all, you only have to have been married for 9 months to be eligible to collect a surviving spousal Social Security benefit.
Who says Social Security is boring?
Let me know if I can assist any widows you know to potentially find more money.