Michigan Newly Widowed Individuals Package

As noted above, if you have reached full retirement age, you get 100 percent of the benefit your spouse was (or would have been) collecting. If you claim survivor benefits between age 60 (50 if disabled) and your full retirement age, you will receive between 71.5 percent and 99 percent of the deceased's benefit.

Be at least age 60. Be the widow or widower of a fully insured worker. Meet the marriage duration requirement. Be unmarried, unless the marriage can be disregarded.

It takes 30 to 60 days for survivors benefits payments to start after they are approved, according to the agency's website.

In most cases, a widow or widower qualifies for survivor benefits if he or she is at least 60 and had been married to the deceased for at least nine months at the time of death.

The earliest a widow or widower can start receiving Social Security survivors benefits based on age will remain at age 60. Widows or widowers benefits based on age can start any time between age 60 and full retirement age as a survivor.

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.