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How does your spouse's death affect your benefits, and what are you entitled to? It is natural for many such questions to come to mind.
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If your surviving spouse's loved one dies, they receive a reduced benefit before age 60.
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They may be eligible to switch to their own retirement benefits (which may be higher) at age 62.
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If you become disabled for any reason and their disability began on or within seven years before their spouse's death, they become eligible for benefits before age 50 as the surviving spouse.
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Surviving spouses become eligible to receive benefits at any age if they cared for the deceased's child under 16 or a child with a disability.
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But you also need to keep in mind that if they remarry before age 60 (or age 50 with a disability), they may no longer be eligible.
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Next steps