Aug
22
2011
By Guest (not verified)
My husband died in 2004 @ age 51. He had just qualified for SSD and had received one payment. He actually died on the 1st of the month, so I had to return his second check. We had no dependent children at that time and aside from his small death benefit, that one check was all our family received.
I am healthy and still working. I recently heard that I am eligible to draw on my late husband's disability when I turn 60. Is this correct? If so, can you tell me where to find "chapter and verse" in the SSA's own documents?
Thank you.
Eligibility for survivor benefits
Assuming your husband had at least 10 years of work history, you should be able to qualify for reduced survivor benefits at age 60. If you wait and begin drawing benefits at a later date, your monthly benefit will increase.
The fact that your husband was drawing disability when he passed away is irrelevant. You would qualify for survivor benefits at age 60 regardless of whether or not he was drawing SSD.
In general, you cannot receive survivors benefits if you remarry before the age of 60 unless the latter marriage ends, whether by death, divorce, or annulment.
http://www.ssa.gov/survivorplan/ww&os2.htm