Social Security Survivor Benefits
Scenario: Husband and wife. Husband receives full monthly Social Security benefit in retirement. The wife receives a pensions from the federal government and a reduced Social Security benefit. The husband passes away at 70. She is also 70. Will the wife receive her husband’s survivor benefit, even at a reduced amount, or is she completely excluded due to her federal pesnion?
Permalink Submitted by mk foss on Mon, 2009-06-22 17:22
Social Security is very good at answering these types of questions and has a website that provides many answers as well. My answer is based on what I’ve seen in practice and NOT an analysis of any law.
The surviving spouse who is covered by a governmental pension can receive the deceased spouse’s survivor’s benefit. However, Social Security will periodically redetermine the benefits or ask that some benefits be repaid if the pension increases.