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Social security collecting question
If a spouse dies and the living spouse is retired, can the living spouse collect social security for themselves IN ADDITION to their spouse's social security?
TIA 
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Posted 6/7/11 8:19 PM  |
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acm1899
LIF Adult
Member since 1/11 1085 total posts
Name:
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Re: Social security collecting question
The answer is maybe: Survivor's benefits
Best bet is to call the SSA for the most accurate info.
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| Posted 6/7/11 8:41 PM |
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drpepper318
MIR MIR MIR!
Member since 6/07 8274 total posts
Name:
me
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Re: Social security collecting question
I'm not totally sure,but I don't think so... I believe they can collect EITHER their own SS or their deceased spouse's-- whichever comes out to more. (I got this from a conversation I overheard recently, so could be wrong!)
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| Posted 6/7/11 8:42 PM |
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Re: Social security collecting question
There are a lot of different types of benefits and the benefit amount depends on a variety of factors. However, the benefit after death of one spouse will never be the combined total of both spouses' benefit amounts. If anyone is collecting that way, then they failed to report a death. I'm not saying that you have referred to anyone who is doing that but I'm just providing that information. It's almost always the higher of the 2 spouse's. For the most accurate information the person whose benefits are at issue should visit an SSA office and request answers in writing. The information on the 800 number is only as good as the person that the call gets routed to. My cases mostly involve disability and not retirement but I used to work for SSA and I have seen my share of retirement related issues.
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| Posted 6/7/11 8:52 PM |
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MarsB
LIF Adult
Member since 11/10 1456 total posts
Name:
Martha
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Re: Social security collecting question
The simple answer is no.
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| Posted 6/7/11 8:56 PM |
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GioiaMia
Let's Go Rangers!
Member since 1/07 14818 total posts
Name:
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Re: Social security collecting question
Posted by The Law Office of Kerie P. Stone
There are a lot of different types of benefits and the benefit amount depends on a variety of factors. However, the benefit after death of one spouse will never be the combined total of both spouses' benefit amounts. If anyone is collecting that way, then they failed to report a death. I'm not saying that you have referred to anyone who is doing that but I'm just providing that information. It's almost always the higher of the 2 spouse's. For the most accurate information the person whose benefits are at issue should visit an SSA office and request answers in writing. The information on the 800 number is only as good as the person that the call gets routed to. My cases mostly involve disability and not retirement but I used to work for SSA and I have seen my share of retirement related issues.
Perfect answer. Especially since the call could get routed to someone like me 
But you are only eligible for the higher of two benefits, not both. (Although, some people may think that they are getting TWO benefits - really the total amount of money they are getting IS just the higher of two benefits - just split between two checks)
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| Posted 6/8/11 6:17 AM |
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Re: Social security collecting question
Posted by Tilde
Posted by The Law Office of Kerie P. Stone
There are a lot of different types of benefits and the benefit amount depends on a variety of factors. However, the benefit after death of one spouse will never be the combined total of both spouses' benefit amounts. If anyone is collecting that way, then they failed to report a death. I'm not saying that you have referred to anyone who is doing that but I'm just providing that information. It's almost always the higher of the 2 spouse's. For the most accurate information the person whose benefits are at issue should visit an SSA office and request answers in writing. The information on the 800 number is only as good as the person that the call gets routed to. My cases mostly involve disability and not retirement but I used to work for SSA and I have seen my share of retirement related issues.
Perfect answer. Especially since the call could get routed to someone like me
But you are only eligible for the higher of two benefits, not both. (Although, some people may think that they are getting TWO benefits - really the total amount of money they are getting IS just the higher of two benefits - just split between two checks)
The Claims Authorizers and Benefit Authorizers who handle the 800 calls once a week or so are never really the problem, so it's not you! I think there's a teleservice center in Alabama or something where they just aren't trained at all and the people have never done any other jobs at SSA. I think the better people have also done other job functions at SSA so they know more. And if someone calls from NY they don't necessarily get someone in NY.
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| Posted 6/8/11 3:12 PM |
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AidansArmy
LIF Adult
Member since 3/11 1292 total posts
Name:
Suzanne
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Re: Social security collecting question
My mom received $800 a month and my Dad received $1800. When he passed last year, she received an addition of $1000 to hers so that she now makes the equivalent of what he made (so she still makes her $800, but now gets $1000 of his for a total of $1800). If she would have made more than him, it would have been a wash. It only helps if the one who passed collects more.
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| Posted 6/9/11 11:42 AM |
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