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Why Women Require To Learn Regarding Social Security Spouse And Survivor Benefits
When Social Security was launched back in 1935 it was typical for women to remain inside home to raise the family. In most families the husband was the higher earner or the only earner in the household. In addition, women statistically outlive men, particularly if the wife is younger than the husband.
The coincidence of lower or no earnings and a longer life span implied many women found themselves in poverty when their husbands expired, as their husband's Social Security retirement benefits ended at their death. The Social Security Board identified the problems that women face and have implemented several adjustments to the system over the years to account for these needs.
One important amendments to the Social Security system was to allow women to apply for benefits at 62 instead of waiting until 65 under the idea that they were younger than their spouses and that they would want to retire simultaneously.
Then in 1939 two new categories of benefits were included: Social Security survivor benefits and dependent benefits (payable to the spouse and minor children of retired employees).
These changes converted Social Security from a retirement plan that only paid benefits to retired workers into a family-based system, where spouses and children could receive benefits of retired, disabled or departed workers. This was a tremendous help to women who did not qualify for retirement benefits on their own, or who had much smaller benefits than their spouses.
Today, although it's not strange for women to earn as much or more than their spouses, they still may take time off to look after families, and they still statistically live longer than their spouses. In addition, the number of divorced women attaining retirement age is greater than it has ever been. As a result of of this, many women still get Social Security spousal benefits or survivor benefits instead of benefits depending on their own work records.
This is why it's important for women - no matter what their relationship status is - to understand the spousal and survivor benefits open to them in addition to the retirement benefits so they can enjoy the maximum benefits they are entitled to.
Key Points You Should Know About The Social Security Spousal Benefit
Can a spouse collect on her husband's social security if she reaches retirement age before her husband? No. In order for a wife to collect Social Security benefits on her husband's earnings the following requirements must be met:
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