Hi,

I am trying to help out a friend by finding some answers for her. She was suddenly widowed at age 48. After her 25 year marriage, raising 4 children (now 21 & over), but 3 still live with her, and she continues to deal with 2 pre existing (disabilities) illnesses which make it impossible for her to hold a full time job, she is searching for answers to relieve her financial struggles.

She is now 51 and would like to apply to receive her widow's pension retroactive from age 50.
- Can you please tell me what is the best way for her to go about doing this?
- And supply me with best contact information that would be most helpful
- Is a lawyer necessary for this process, if so, can you recommend someone that would fight for her at a very reasonable fee?

Your assistance is greatly appreciated

Thank you,
Beverly

Diabetics hold jobs... even people in wheelchairs hold jobs. I know both.

What widow's pension? Are you referring to Social Security or a pension from the husband's former company?

What widow's pension? Are you referring to Social Security or a pension from the husband's former company?

Yes, that would be correct. It would be an early pension due her from her husband's former company, that she is trying to collect at a younger age, due to her loss and her disabilities.

First, are you sure she has a "widow's pension"? If her husband was a participant in a defined contribution plan and she did not waive spousal benefits, then there may be something she can collect. It depends on the plan provisions. So she needs to talk to the benefits administrator at his company. If he worked for one company all his adult life, then there would only be the one company. However, if he worked for multiple companies, especially if he spent more than 5 years at any one of them, they will all have to be contacted. On the other hand , if he worked for a lot of different companies but never stayed at one very long, there may not be any benefits.

She also needs to contact Social Security to see if there is any benefit available from her husband's earnings.

First, are you sure she has a "widow's pension"? If her husband was a participant in a defined contribution plan and she did not waive spousal benefits, then there may be something she can collect. It depends on the plan provisions. So she needs to talk to the benefits administrator at his company. If he worked for one company all his adult life, then there would only be the one company. However, if he worked for multiple companies, especially if he spent more than 5 years at any one of them, they will all have to be contacted. On the other hand , if he worked for a lot of different companies but never stayed at one very long, there may not be any benefits.

She also needs to contact Social Security to see if there is any benefit available from her husband's earnings.

Thank you so much for your response Scott, that was very helpful. I will pass this information onto my friend.
Beverly