My husband died. I'd like to know what benefits am I entitled. Can I collect his Social Security I am not 62; however, I do need the financial support. We were married for 30 years and I presently have no income. Where do I start to get what is entitled to me? My husband worked all his life. I can't believe that I have to wait until I am 62 to collect his social security? Please help!!

You should be entitled to a Social Security death benefit now. What about life insurance? You should be entitled to that immediately. Also did your husband have any type of employer-provided pension? You may be entitled to a portion of that as well, although, as with Social Security, you may have to wait until a certain age before you can collect.

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Originally Posted by allenva

My husband died. I'd like to know what benefits am I entitled. Can I collect his Social Security I am not 62; however, I do need the financial support. We were married for 30 years and I presently have no income. Where do I start to get what is entitled to me? My husband worked all his life. I can't believe that I have to wait until I am 62 to collect his social security? Please help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Your local SS Office can access the records and inform you concerning benefits.

In the meantime this is a quote from the SS Government site after 10 years or more of marriage:

"You can be entitled to as much as one-half of your spouse's benefit amount when you reach full retirement age. If you want to get Social Security retirement benefits before you reach full retirement age, the amount of your benefit is reduced permanently. The amount of reduction depends on when you will reach full retirement age.

For example:

If your full retirement age is 65, you can get 37.5 percent of your spouse's unreduced benefit at age 62;
If your full retirement age is 66, you can get 35 percent of your spouse's unreduced benefit at age 62;
If your full retirement age is 67, you can get 32.5 percent of your spouse's unreduced benefit at age 62."