Soc Sec Survivor Benefits?

[ImogeneB462109]

When I was applying for SS retirement, a SS rep told me that I could have been receiving survivor benefits since I reached full retirement age in 2020 (NOT retirement benefits, SURVIVOR benefits). My husband died in 1996, and I received benefits for our children at that time. I had no knowledge of any other benefits.

He said that I can receive 6 mths. retroactively but cannot appeal for the over $55,000 I should have received. He also said that I cannot appeal this action. Does anyone know how to fight this? Obvious answer is with a lawyer, but I can only imagine that would cost more than the amount SS is keeping from me.  Any advice appreciated. 

[GailL1]

Adding to my previous post - here is another link to Survivor’s benefits - especially widows - from the SSA - with more details.

SSA.gov. IF YOU ARE THE SURVIVOR 

[GailL1]

Forget the lawyer - you won’t get anywhere since this is a goverment program with set rules of coverage.  Nobody can prove what somebody told you.  Right or Wrong - just move forward.

The rules haven’t changed - they have been there for years and years.

You could have gotten (Widow)survivors benefits for yourself IF you were eligible. 

SSA.gov - Survivors Benefits

- at age 50 if you were declared disabled

- as young as 60 but the benefits would be reduced for age

- also if you had continued to work, the survivors benefits would be reduced if you had gone over the annual earnings cap.

You may have gotten some survivors benefits when your children were young and receiving benefits Yes, the 6-month retro seems right based on your FRA filing.  But if you were seeking REDUCED Survivors benefits or DIVORCED Survivors benefits, there maybe a 12 month retro 

SSA.gov POMS - Policy Of Retroactivity

So if you turned your FRA in 2020, yes,  you could have gotten the full survivors benefits and then at 70 years old converted to your own with Delayed Retirement Credits if these were greater than the Survivors Benefit.

It is up to the person(s) affected to file for Survivors Benefits.

[fffred]

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@GailL1 wrote:

It is up to the person(s) affected to file for Survivors Benefits.

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Another great reply.

A comment on this quoted snippet. I agree with this. But I have a vague recollection about reading (in the POMS) some sort of scenario where if someone made some election then the SSA was to record this, somewhere, somehow, with the view being to contact them at the later age. It might even have had something to do with a mother who was collecting benefits for their children and then everyone aged out. Of course, my trying to find this again is like finding a needle in that haystack.