If You Are The Worker's Widow Or Widower

If you are the unmarried widow or widower of a person who worked long enough under Social Security, you can

• receive full benefits at full retirement age for survivors or reduced benefits as early as age 60.

• begin receiving benefits as early as age 50 if you are disabled.

• receive survivors benefits at any age if you take care of the deceased worker's child who is under age 16 or is disabled and receives benefits on the worker's record.

Please note: If you also will receive a pension based on work not covered by Social Security, such as government or foreign work, your Social Security benefits as a survivor may be affected.

Select one of the links below to get additional information about

• benefits if you are the surviving divorced spouse.
• benefits if you are the worker's minor or disabled child.
• how much your benefits would be.