When a spouse passes away, the surviving partner may be eligible for Social Security benefits, known as widow's payments.

For example, a widow claiming benefits at age 60 only qualifies for 71.5% of the monthly benefit amount because she will receive benefits for an additional 72 months. The percentage you can claim ...

Applying for widows benefits right away at 60 would cost you an additional 28.5%, reducing your monthly checks to $1,001 per month in our example.

Wife and widow benefits were established in 1939. Their design was based on a family structure in which only one spouse — typically the husband — worked.

Remarried widow’s Social Security benefits: how the rules changed over the years . Originally, widows and widowers lost their eligibility for survivor benefits if they remarried, regardless of ...

Moreover, Social Security widow and widower benefits are a uniquely reliable source of income in old age: inflation-adjusted and backed by the U.S. government. The bottom line: ...

Losing your partner often means losing 30% to 50% of your household income. This financial adviser emphasizes that planning ahead and understanding the rules surrounding survivor benefits can help.

As regular readers know, I am a fan of Ed Slott and Co.’s monthly newsletter on retirement accounts. The company, which bills ...