1、 https:/crsreports.congress.gov May 3, 2022Social Security: The Widow(er)s Limit ProvisionBackground Social Security is a work-based federal insurance program that provides monthly cash benefits to retired or disabled workers and their family members and to the family members of deceased workers. Wo
2、rkers become eligible for Social Security benefits by working in Social Securitycovered employment. Monthly benefits are based on the workers career-average earnings in covered employment. Benefits paid to dependent family members and survivors are equal to a specified percentage of the workers basi
3、c monthly benefit amount (subject to a maximum family benefit amount). Widow(er) benefits are derived from the deceased workers Social Security insurance status and lifetime covered earnings. Surviving spouses, former spouses, and those with a qualifying disability may be eligible for survivor benef
4、its if they meet the age, marriage-duration, and other requirements for those benefits. In December 2020, nearly 3.6 million individuals received Social Security nondisabled widow(er) benefits. (About 96.1% were widows and 88.3% were aged 65 or older.) The average monthly benefit for those beneficia