New Jersey Newly Widowed Individuals Package

If you need to make important decisions, you should wait for at least one to two years following such a significant loss. This will give you sufficient time to process the death, go through the stages of grief, and regain some of your diminished cognitive capacities.

A surviving spouse can collect 100 percent of the late spouse's benefit if the survivor has reached full retirement age, but the amount will be lower if the deceased spouse claimed benefits before he or she reached full retirement age.

Widows can claim benefits at any time between 60 and their survivor full retirement age.

There's no specific time period one should wait before dating again. Grieving and the process of moving on is something that's unique to each person. Some people take years, others weeks, and then there are those who choose never to date again.

Although there are no additional tax breaks for widows, using the qualifying widow status means your standard deduction will be double the single status amount. Unless you qualify for something else, you'll usually file as single in the year after your spouse dies.

There are two kinds of benefits that loved ones left behind may be entitled to receive after the death of a spouse. These are: Widowed parent's allowance. Bereavement allowance and bereavement payment.

For Your Widow Or Widower Widows and widowers can receive: Reduced benefits as early as age 60 or full benefits at full retirement age or older. If widows or widowers qualify for retirement benefits on their own record, they can switch to their own retirement benefit as early as age 62.

These are examples of the benefits that survivors may receive: Widow or widower, full retirement age or older 100 percent of the deceased worker's benefit amount. Widow or widower, age 60 full retirement age 71½ to 99 percent of the deceased worker's basic amount.

THE ULTIMATE SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR WIDOWS. ORGANIZE A MEAL TRAIN. ADD FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS FOR LEFTOVERS. GIVE FOOD GIFT CARDS. PROVIDE A PORTABLE PHONE CHARGER. CONTRIBUTE A GAS GIFT CARD. CREATE A WIDOW CARE PACKAGE FILLED WITH HOUSEHOLD ITEMS. HELP AROUND THE HOUSE.