What are Social Security Survivor Benefits?

Social security Benefits are mostly known for those of partial or full retirement age, though there are several different types of benefits, such as survivor benefits. The official name of the program is Old-Age Survivors and Disability insurance (OASDI) which helps your spouse or dependents receive a passed-on spouse’s social security benefits on top of their own. 

Below you’ll find information that gives a more in-depth understanding of a widow’s social security benefit derived from their spouse and some advice on how to navigate the complex rules of the program. 

Who Qualifies for Social Security Survivors Benefits?

To qualify for social security survivor benefits, you’ll have to meet the requirements for eligibility, which include:

  • You must be a widow or widower of any age who is caring for the deceased’s child or children under the age of 16, or who are disabled.
    • Step-children, grandchildren, step-grandchildren, and adopted children can be included under certain circumstances
  • A widow or widower who is 60 years older or more who has not remarried
  • Any unmarried children of the deceased who are younger than 18 years old or have a disability that surfaced before 22 years old.
  • Parents that are 62 years or older that were dependent on the deceased for at least half of their income and whose social security income would not be larger than of the deceased’s children. 
  • A surviving divorced spouse may receive benefits if they meet other eligibility requirements

Another point of qualification is shared with social security retirement requirements, meaning you would have to have worked a certain number of years and gained the proper amount of credits each year for your loved ones to be eligible for the benefits. 

How are Social Security Benefits Calculated for a Widow?

How the benefits are calculated for a widow can quickly become complex as there are several provisions for different circumstances. One such provision is the one-time death benefit payment of $225, which can be issued if the deceased spouse either lived with the widow(er) or was receiving social security benefits on their record. If there is no surviving spouse, the one-time payment can be given to a child who is eligible for the benefits. Another provision is if the death leaves a spouse with dependent children, which allows the benefits to be paid to them if the deceased had earned at least 6 credits within the three calendar years prior to their passing. 

To gain the benefits, a specific amount of credits are needed to be eligible, depending on the age of the spouse who has passed. The younger they are, the fewer credits are needed, but the maximum required is 40. Also, just as with the Social Security Administration’s retirement SSI program, the amount of survivors benefits depends on the average lifetime earnings of the spouse who passed. The more that was earned, the higher the benefit till a maximum amount is reached. 

How Big Can the Benefits Be?

The benefits survivors receive can depend on their age and the type of relationship they had with the deceased:

Widow(er) Benefits

If at the full retirement age, the surviving spouse can receive the total amount of the deceased’s benefits. If they are between the ages of 60 and full retirement age, they can receive between 71% to 99% of the amount. A disabled spouse between 50 and 59 years of age can receive up to 71%, and a spouse caring for a child under the age of 16 at any age can receive up to 75%. A divorced spouse, if they qualify as previously mentioned, can receive the same amounts listed above.

Children and Parent Benefits

Children under the age of 18, or 19 if still in school or disabled, can receive 75% of the deceased parent’s benefit. A parent that is dependent on the deceased is eligible to receive 82% of the benefits, but if both parents are alive and were dependents, then they each can collect 75%.

As you can see, it can become quite complicated to ensure you receive your social security from your loved one. Here at Marken Law Group, we have a comprehensive understanding of social security benefits for surviving spouses. We understand how stressful benefits can be and don’t want to add to your plate during this sad and stressful time. Partner with an experienced ally that is by your side from start to finish with a qualified social security Lawyer to help you through this process to secure your benefits.

Secure Your Social Security Benefits Today

Solar Technology Updates: Expanding Horizons in Photovoltaic Technology

Beneath the vast umbrella of solar technology updates,a vortex of revolutionary advancements whirls. Photovoltaic technology emerges as one such sector amidst this upheaval. The staid tableau of traditional Solar photovoltaic systems is being upended by avant-garde approaches that bear potent promise to reshape our energy consumption trends profoundly. The dawn of perovskite and hybrid solar cells,weaving together high efficiency and versatility,hints at but a fragment of the forthcoming wonders in photovoltaic technology.

Delving deeper into this domain reveals that creativity doesn’t merely stagnate at invention; it further extends its tendrils towards enhancing efficiency and trimming costs. The emergence of the bifacial and heterojunction cells’ epoch heralds an optimistic glimpse into a prospective era where performance harmonized with affordability isn’t longer an unattainable fantasy. Walker’s law – the theory propounding a 20% decrease in solar PV modules cost with every doubling in accumulated shipped volume – serves as the bedrock for our sanguine expectations from future photovoltaic technology.

Emerging Trends in Harnessing Sunlight

The sun,a potent and plentiful energy source,is being exploited more effectively and sustainably than ever due to accelerated technological progression. Contemporary Research focuses on significantly escalating the output and slashing manufacturing expenses for photovoltaic cells,a tactic that the renewable industry plans to utilize for a greener tomorrow. Photovoltaics are now challenging previously accepted theoretical maximum efficiency limits by incorporating avant-garde materials like perovskites and employing methods such as tandem cell design.

In addition,advancements in photovoltaic science aren’t limited only to production techniques or efficiency enhancements. Attention has also been directed towards aesthetic considerations by introducing solar skins and solar window technologies. A solar skin is an innovative approach to effortlessly integrate solar panels into architectural designs without sacrificing performance levels. Conversely,solar window technology transforms standard windows into power-generating entities – shifting energy generation from traditional rooftop models to standard glass windows. The vision of this industry is explicit: they aim to make solar tech more accessible while retaining or augmenting its productivity potential.

Unveiling the Latest in Concentrated Solar Power

In a state of constant evolution,Concentrated Solar power (CSP) systems have encountered a dramatic surge of innovation,catapulting this technology to unprecedented heights. The most notable metamorphosis has been observed in the inception and deployment of avant-garde thermal storage materials,which have amplified the functionality of CSP systems by proffering efficient energy storage solutions.

Imagine an array of materials such as molten salts,phase change substances,and thermochemical storage elements enhancing the capability of CSP systems to generate electricity even when sunlight is absent. Amongst these,it’s worth shedding light on thermochemical storage – an exhilarating development with its unique ability to chemically transmute and retain solar energy. This offers scope for long-term,large-capacity energy preservation.

Diving into the realm of minuscule particles,nanotechnology has plunged into the domain of CSP,creating substantial modifications in efficiency and making it cost-effective. These nanoparticle-enhanced materials are specifically crafted to capture and transform more sunlight,thereby not only ameliorating performance but curbing costs,too! A fascinating application can be seen in devising advanced solar selective coatings that maximize absorption while minimizing losses,thus optimizing overall system performance.

These breakthroughs are challenging traditional limits associated with concentrated solar power; they’re revolutionizing renewable energy technologies,adding possibilities for future developments.

Advancements in Solar Thermal Technology

Solar Thermal Technology has recently made significant advancements,expanding from a technology primarily used for providing hot water to a versatile and powerful resource. It now extends its applications to power industrial processes,desalinate seawater,and generate electricity on a larger scale. These innovations focus on improving collector designs for maximum efficiency and incorporate advanced solar tracking systems to optimize sunlight collection throughout the day. Additionally,breakthroughs in energy storage techniques address intermittency,ensuring a reliable heat supply even during non-daylight hours or cloudy days. These advances are transforming Solar Thermal Energy into a more viable option for sustainable power generation,both now and in the future.