During their working years if the members have accrued enough credits his or her family members are eligible for Social Security Survivors' Benefits.
The eligible family members include widows and widowers who are aged 62 & above, widows and widowers caring for a child under 16 years of age and who is receiving Social Security Benefits, unmarried children under the age of 18 or under age 19 either a full time elementary student or secondary school, disabled widows or widowers who are aged 50 & above, or age 18 or older but is severely disabled and lastly parents who are dependent entirely or not upon the social security member will also receive social security benefits.
The divorced widows and widowers also get survivor benefits after the death of their ex-spouse who is a social security member. The Social Security account of the deceased member determines the benefit given to them.
Family Members of the person getting Social Security benefits are also covered by Social Security Benefits. When member is retired or when they become disabled their family members also receive their share of Social Security Benefits. This is a great boon for the Members of the families.
For spouse, if he or she reaches the age of 62 or older, they will receive a monthly benefit. If the Member has a child under the age of 16 & is being looked after by the spouse or if a child geeting social security benefits is looked after by the spouse this entitles the spouse to receive social security benefits. If the Child is under the age of 18 or more & if he/she is disabled, they are also eligible for Social Security disability benefits. If the child under the age of 18 or 19 & is unmarried but also a full-time student in elementary or secondary school is also eligible for social security benefits.
Every member of the family may be able to receive up to 50% of the retirement or disability benefit. But, social security benefits are only limited up to 150% to 180% depending on the circumstances faced by the family. The amount of benefits which the family members get doesnot affect the benefit given to the social security member. The benefits given to the member and to his or her other family will not be affected by the benefits given to the ex-spouse with whom the social security member has been married for at least 10 years.
