Social Security survivors benefits can be paid to:
• A widow or widower -- full benefits at full retirement age, or reduced benefits as early as age 60
• A disabled widow or widower -- as early as age 50
• A widow or widower at any age if he or she takes care of the deceased's child who is under age 16 or disabled, and receiving Social Security benefits
• Unmarried children under 18, or up to age 19 if they are attending high school full time. Under certain circumstances, benefits can be paid to stepchildren, grandchildren, or adopted children.
• Children at any age who were disabled before age 22 and remain disabled.
• Dependent parents age 62 or older

You can receive Social Security Survivors benefits and work at the same time. However, depending on your age, your benefits could be reduced if you earn more than certain amounts.

In general, you cannot receive survivors benefits if you remarry before the age of 60 unless the latter marriage ends, whether by death, divorce, or annulment.

If you remarry after age 60 (50 if disabled), you can still collect benefits on your former spouse's record. When you reach age 62 or older, you may get retirement benefits on the record of your new spouse if they are higher.

Your remarriage would have no effect on the benefits being paid to your children.

If you are collecting survivors benefits, you can switch to your own retirement benefits (assuming you are eligible and your retirement rate is higher than the widow/widower's rate) as early as age 62.

In many cases, you can begin receiving retirement benefits either on your own or your spouse's record at age 62 and then switch to the other benefit when you reach full retirement age, if that amount is higher.
 
Office Address:
SOCIAL SECURITY
SUITE 1
7185 BONNEVAL ROAD
JACKSONVILLE, FL 32256

Phone Numbers:
Local Number  (904) 296-1991
Toll-Free  1-800-772-1213
TTY (904) 296-9971

Office Hours:
MONDAY - FRIDAY:  9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Map:
 

www.socialsecurity.gov

Russell Haven of Rest Cemetery and Funeral Home will file form SSA-721 “Statement of Death by Funeral Director” within days following death.  This form SSA-721 takes place of a certified death certificate copy as proof of death.  The Social Security Office will then notify the Dependent within 30 days by letter if any Benefits are due.  The letter will include the phone number to call as well as information that will be needed when the return call is made by the dependent.