Financial Stewardship Through Loss: Understanding Social Security Survivor Benefits
When you are walking through the "grief fog," the last thing you want to do is navigate a government website. Yet, for many widows and widowers, Social Security Survivor Benefits are a critical piece of the "Four Walls" of your new financial reality. In my coaching, I always tell clients: A budget is simply a plan for your mission. But to make that plan, you first need to understand the resources God has provided for your journey. The Basics: What Are Survivor Benefits? Think of Social Security not just as a retirement fund, but as a life insurance policy provided by your spouse’s years of hard work and taxes. These benefits provide monthly payments to help support the family left behind. According to the Social Security Administration (SSA) , here is who is typically eligible to receive these benefits: Widows/Widowers: You can receive full benefits at your full retirement age, or reduced benefits as early as age 60 (or age 50 if you have a disability). Caring for ...