surviors benefits

Social Security benefits for a widow age 62 or higher arise from basically two sources :

• Retirement benefits based on her own work record
• Survivor benefits based on husband's work record

Assuming you notified Social Security of your husband's death, you should receive a combination of benefits that equals the higher amount. Note you'll receive the higher of the two -- not the sum of the two.

You will want to confirm directly with Social Security to ensure you're getting the correct benefit.

http://ssa-custhelp.ssa.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/371

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10084.html#3