Eligibility and Benefit Coordination

Key points to consider include:

• Personal SSDI benefits are evaluated alongside widow/widower benefits to determine total payment.
• Only the higher benefit between your own SSDI and survivor benefit is paid out, not both.
• The amount you receive may increase if your widow’s benefit surpasses your personal SSDI.

Effect of Age on Benefits

Consider these age factors:

• Full Retirement Age (FRA) affects eligibility and amount of widow/widower benefits.
• Claiming widow’s benefits before FRA may reduce payment if they are less than your SSDI.
• Delaying benefits past FRA may increase widow cash benefits.

Impact of Remarriage

• Remarriage before age 60 usually ends eligibility for widow’s benefits.
• Remarriage after age 60 or 50 for disabled widowers can still allow benefit collection.

Benefit Application Process in Louisiana

• SSA reviews earnings records to calculate both SSDI and widow’s benefit entitlements.
• You must apply for widow’s benefits separately to be evaluated.

Effect on Total Income

• Total Social Security income considers only the higher of the two benefits.
• You are protected from receiving less than your entitled widow’s benefit if it is higher.

Other Considerations

• Working while receiving benefits can affect SSDI and widow payments.
• Knowing how taxes may apply to combined benefits is important.