Apr
28
2010
By Guest (not verified)
My husband is disabled and receiving monthly SSDI payments. He will turn 63 this year. I will be 56.
Although I have enough quarters to qualify for my own benefits, I will most likely not claim them since the monthly amount would be low in comparison to my husband's (due to higher paying employment.) In the event of my husband's death, I understand that I would have to wait until I am 62 in order to collect a percentage of my husband's social security.
My Question: Will that percentage be based on the amount of 'disability' benefits he received at the time of his death-OR- will social security base that on a different amount?
Thank you for clarifying this.
Disability payments converting to retirement / survivor benefits
The amount of the disability benefit is the same as a full, unreduced retirement benefit. If you are receiving Social Security disability benefits when you reach full retirement age, those benefits will be converted to retirement benefits.
For survivor benefits for you, please check your Social Security Statement, which is sent each year to every worker age 25 or older. The statement gives an estimate of survivors benefits that could be paid, as well as an estimate of retirement and disability benefits and other important information.
You can request your statement here : http://www.ssa.gov/mystatement/