by AMAC Certified Social Security Advisor Russell Gloor Association of Mature American Citizens Ask Rusty - Younger widow asks about collecting benefits Dear Rusty: My husband died several years ago in 2019. It is my understanding that I should be receiving some portion of his Social Security payments. However, when I called to notify Social Security that he passed, they told me not to touch his last check because it would be taken back. I was 8 years younger than my husband, so I am still only 58. I also have always made more income than he did. How do I find out if there is some sort of residual that I should still be receiving? Signed: Widowed WifeDear Widowed Wife: The reason you were told “not to touch” your husband’s last check is because benefits are not payable for the month a person dies. Social Security pays benefits in the month following the month they are earned, so someone who dies before month ends isn’t entitled to benefits for that month. Social Security will, indeed, take that payment back. As a survivor, you aren’t entitled to those benefits because they were awarded to your deceased husband and will be taken back because he didn’t live the full month.As for any benefits you are entitled to as your husband’s survivor, you cannot collect a monthly survivor benefit until you are at least 60 years old (unless you are disabled, in which case you can collect as early as age 50). Sixty is the earliest age to collect survivor benefits, but claimed at age 60 the survivor benefit will be reduced by 28.5% from what it would be at your full retirement age (FRA) of 67. Survivor benefits reach maximum at your FRA, but taken any earlier will be reduced by .396% per month early, to a maximum reduction of 28.5%. You are, however, entitled to a one-time lump sum death benefit of $255, for which you can contact Social Security at 1.800.772.1213 (or at your local SS office).You should also be aware that taking any monthly SS benefit before reaching your full retirement age of 67 will subject you to Social Security’s “earnings test,” which limits how much you can earn before they take back some (or all) of your benefits. The earnings limit changes annually but for 2022 the limit is $19,560 and, if that is exceeded, SS will ...
