The Social Security Administration continues to emphasize the importance of understanding spousal and survivor benefits, especially for older Americans navigating financial planning and life transitions.
Survivor benefits provide monthly payments to the family members of deceased workers who earned sufficient Social Security credits. This includes spouses, children, and even dependent parents in certain cases. Widows and widowers may qualify for benefits as early as age 60, or age 50 if disabled, and even earlier if caring for a child under age 16 or with a disability.
Spousal benefits are available to individuals who are at least age 62 and married to someone eligible for retirement or disability benefits. Even divorced spouses may qualify if the marriage lasted at least ten years.
The Social Security Administration urges families to review eligibility details and use the Retirement Estimator and online tools at ssa.gov to plan their financial future.
