Do my other pension or retirement benefits count as earnings?

Usually, any pension benefits you receive will not affect your Social Security retirement benefits.  If you worked for an employer not covered by Social Security, such as in government civil service or as a teacher, your Social Security benefits may be reduced.

When can a surviving spouse collect benefits?

A surviving spouse is entitled to collect benefits based on the deceased spouse’s Social Security benefits if the surviving spouse is age 60 or older, or disabled and between 50 and 59 years old, within 7 years of the spouse’s death.   If you collect survivors benefits before full retirement age, you may be eligible to collect higher benefits, based on your own earnings, when you reach full retirement age.

Are surviving children eligible for Social Security benefits?

Surviving children are eligible for benefits until the age of 18, or age 19 if enrolled as full time students.  The income or remarriage of the surviving spouse will not effect the children’s benefits.

Disabled adult children, who become disabled before age 22, can receive disability benefits based on the earning record of the a deceased, retired or disabled parent.