--- title: "Social Security Claiming Strategies: A Guide for Widows and Widowers" description: Explore valuable claiming strategies for widows and widowers to optimize their Social Security benefits. image: https://blog.emvisioncapital.com/hubfs/Screenshot%202023-11-29%20151422.png --- Menu [Investor 360 Client Portal](https://signon.advisor360.com/as/authorization.oauth2?response_type=code&access_token_manager_id=jwt&AuthParam=SQL&client_id=Investor360&pfidpadapterid=i360Idpadapterid&isI360=true&redirect_uri=https://www.investor360.com/Login/login&state=null) [** ](https://www.facebook.com/EmVisionCapitalAdvisors/) [** ](https://www.linkedin.com/company/emvision-capital-advisors/) [** ](mailto:info@emvisioncapital.com) [ (330) 954-3770 ](tel:3309543770) # [![EmVision Capital Advisors](https://blog.emvisioncapital.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/EmVisionCapitalAdvisors_August2022/images/36-layers.svg "EmVision Capital Advisors")](https://emvisioncapital.com/) # Social Security Claiming Strategies: A Guide for Widows and Widowers * Published by James Artale * If you are widowed, you have some decisions to make when it comes to claiming social security benefits. You may be eligible to claim benefits based upon either your own earnings record or that of your deceased spouse. To qualify for survivor benefits, your deceased spouse must have been “fully insured” under social security regulations at the time of passing. For most, this requires a minimum of 10 years of full-time work covered under social security. For younger individuals, this amount may be reduced. Even if your deceased spouse didn’t have the number of credits needed, [social security](https://blog.emvisioncapital.com/a-financial-checklist-you-can-handle) may pay benefits to you and your children if you are caring for the children. In this situation, you and your children may get benefits if your deceased spouse had just six credits or one and one-half year’s work in the three years preceding his or her death. In addition, you must meet the following qualifications: - You must have been married at least nine months prior to your spouse’s death. - You must be at least 60 years old. If you are younger than 60, you must be caring for a child younger than 16 or you must be disabled and receiving benefits. - If you are divorced, you must remain unmarried until age 60. Survivor benefits represent 100 percent of the deceased’s social security primary insurance amount, plus any delayed [retirement](https://emvisioncapital.com/retirement-planning/) credits. If, however, you claim before your full retirement age (FRA)—as determined by [social security](https://blog.emvisioncapital.com/countdown-to-retirement) rules—the benefit amount will be reduced by a maximum of 28.5 percent. This means you will never receive less than 71.5 percent of the full retirement benefit. ## An Examination of Claiming Strategies Michelle is 60 and was married to James for many years before he passed away suddenly last year. Both James and Michelle had successful careers with high earnings. Michelle’s full benefit at her FRA of 66 will be $2,000 per month; her late husband, who passed away at his FRA of 66, would have received $2,400 per month. Michelle can consider a variety of filing strategies to maximize her social security benefits. To start, Michelle can choose from two relatively straightforward options, both of which would yield different results depending on how old she is when she files for benefits. Option 1: Claim Survivor Benefits Michelle can file now at age 60 and receive a survivor benefit of $1,716 per month (71.5 percent of the full benefit of $2,400). If she waits until her FRA of 66, she would receive the full survivor benefit of $2,400 per month. Option 2: File For Her Own Benefits Michelle may claim her own benefit early at age 62 and receive $1,500 per month. If she waits until age 66, she would receive $2,000 per month. The above strategies don’t necessarily maximize the amount of money Michelle could receive to support her lifestyle, however. Often, individuals can combine various claiming strategies, filing for benefits at different times and switching between benefits, to receive more income. Option 3: Worker Benefits Now and Survivor Benefits at FRA Michelle can file at age 62 based upon her earnings record. She would collect $1,500 until reaching her FRA of 66, at which time she could switch to the survivor benefit and receive $2,400 per month. Option 4: Survivor Benefits Now and Worker Benefits at Age 70 Michelle can file for survivor benefits at age 60 and receive $1,716 per month. She could delay switching to her own earnings record until age 70. This delay would allow her monthly benefit to accrue delayed retirement credits, which would add 32 percent to her worker benefit. So, instead of collecting $2,000 per month, her benefit at age 70 would be $2,640. The optimal strategy for you depends on your personal circumstances. Understanding the options and nuances available can help you make the most appropriate decision. ## Key Takeaway Claiming social security benefits as a widow or widower involves careful consideration of various factors. Your choice can significantly impact your financial security in retirement. [Consulting a financial advisor](https://emvisioncapital.com/our-process/) can help you navigate the complexities and determine the optimal strategy for your unique circumstances. ## Questions? Ready to make informed decisions about your social security benefits and overall financial planning? [Contact us](https://emvisioncapital.com/contact-us/) today for expert guidance and personalized financial advice. Your future financial security starts with the right choices today.   James Artale is a financial advisor located at EmVision Capital Advisors, 251 W. Garfield Rd. ​Suite 155 Aurora, OH 44202. He offers securities and advisory services as an Investment Adviser Representative of Commonwealth Financial Network®, Member FINRA/SIPC, a Registered Investment Adviser. He can be reached at (330) 954-3770 or at [info@emvisioncapital.com](mailto:info@emvisioncapital.com).  Securities and advisory services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network®, Member FINRA/ SIPC, a Registered Investment Adviser. Fixed insurance products and services are separate from and not offered through Commonwealth. This material has been provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute either tax or legal advice. Although we go to great lengths to make sure our information is accurate and useful, we recommend you consult a tax preparer, professional tax advisor, or lawyer. #### SHARE [**](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://blog.emvisioncapital.com/social-security-claiming-strategies-a-guide-for-widows-and-widowers&src=sdkpreparse) #### EmVisionblog ## welcome [![The 5 Stages of Retirement](https://blog.emvisioncapital.com/hubfs/The%205%20Stages%20of%20Retirement_1600.jpg) ###### The 5 Stages of Retirement Retirement is a life-changing event. After spending years looking forward to it, many people aren’t sure what to do with themselves when it finally arrives. Without the everyday routine and social outlet that work provides, it’s easy to feel a... ![EmvisionCapital](https://blog.emvisioncapital.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/EmVisionCapitalAdvisors_August2022/images/36-layers-1.svg) ](https://blog.emvisioncapital.com/the-5-stages-of-retirement) [![EmVision Capital Advisors Achieves Elite Status with Commonwealth and AssetMark](https://blog.emvisioncapital.com/hubfs/Commonwealth%20and%20AssetMark%20Recognition.jpg) ###### EmVision Capital Advisors Achieves Elite Status with Commonwealth and AssetMark EmVision Capital Advisors, a leading provider of comprehensive wealth management services, proudly announces its recent attainment of "President's Club" status with Commonwealth and "Platinum" status with AssetMark. These prestigious recognitions,... ![EmvisionCapital](https://blog.emvisioncapital.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/EmVisionCapitalAdvisors_August2022/images/36-layers-1.svg) ](https://blog.emvisioncapital.com/emvision-capital-advisors-achieves-elite-status-with-commonwealth-and-assetmark) [![Highlights From The 2025 AssetMark High Net Worth Symposium](https://blog.emvisioncapital.com/hubfs/Highlights%20From%20The%202025%20AssetMark%20High%20Net%20Worth%20Symposium.png) ###### Highlights From The 2025 AssetMark High Net Worth Symposium Last month, four members of our EmVision Capital Advisors team traveled to Columbus to attend the AssetMark High Net Worth Symposium at Le Meridien. In attendance were our CEO and Founder, Michael Embrescia, COO Johnathon Opet, Wealth Advisor AJ... ![EmvisionCapital](https://blog.emvisioncapital.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/EmVisionCapitalAdvisors_August2022/images/36-layers-1.svg) ](https://blog.emvisioncapital.com/highlights-from-the-2025-assetmark-high-net-worth-symposium) [![Icon_feather-phone](https://blog.emvisioncapital.com/hubfs/Icon_feather-phone.svg) (330) 954-3770 ](tel:3309543770) [![Mail](https://blog.emvisioncapital.com/hubfs/Icon_material-mail-outline.svg) info@emvisioncapital.com ](mailto:info@emvisioncapital.com) ![Location](https://blog.emvisioncapital.com/hubfs/Icon_material-place.svg) 251 W. Garfield Rd. ​Suite 155 Aurora · OH · 44202 ![Location](https://blog.emvisioncapital.com/hubfs/Icon_material-place.svg) 1954 Hubbard Rd. Madison · OH · 44057 ## Contact us [![Brokercheck_Logo](https://blog.emvisioncapital.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported%20sitepage%20images/Brokercheck_Logo.png?width=119&name=Brokercheck_Logo.png "Brokercheck_Logo")](https://content.commonwealth.com/repsitecontent/Form-CRS-Online.pdf) [![riskalyze_0](https://blog.emvisioncapital.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported%20sitepage%20images/riskalyze_0.png?width=86&name=riskalyze_0.png "riskalyze_0")](https://brokercheck.finra.org/?ref=forexcuratorcom%20%20) [![investor360-logo](https://blog.emvisioncapital.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported%20sitepage%20images/investor360-logo.png?width=119&name=investor360-logo.png "investor360-logo")](https://emvisioncapital.com/riskalyze-web/) ###### [Form CRS: Client Relationship Summary](https://content.commonwealth.com/repsitecontent/Form-CRS-Online.pdf) Securities and advisory services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network®, member [FINRA](http://www.finra.org/)/[SIPC](http://www.sipc.org/), a Registered Investment Adviser. Fixed insurance products and services are separate from and not offered through Commonwealth Financial Network®. This communication is strictly intended for individuals residing in the states of OH, AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, LA, MD, MI, MS, NM, OR, PA, SC, SD, TX, VA, AL, HI. No offers may be made or accepted from any resident outside these states due to various state requirements and registration requirements regarding investment products and services. Review our Terms of Use: www.commonwealth.com/termsofuse.html. Copyright © 2022 EmVision Capital Advisors. All rights reserved. ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "James Artale", "url" : "https://blog.emvisioncapital.com/author/james-artale" }, "dateModified" : "2023-12-11T14:34:40.316Z", "datePublished" : "2023-12-11T14:33:27.000Z", "headline" : "Social Security Claiming Strategies: A Guide for Widows and Widowers", "image" : [ "https://blog.emvisioncapital.com/hubfs/Screenshot%202023-11-29%20151422.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.emvisioncapital.com/social-security-claiming-strategies-a-guide-for-widows-and-widowers", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject" }, "name" : "EmVision Capital Advisors" } } ```