When considering Social Security, retirement benefits often come to mind first. However, the program also plays a critical role in supporting families of deceased workers through survivor benefits.

Katharine Paljug is a financial writer and editor with over a decade of industry experience. Her writing has covered nearly every aspect of the financial world, from investing in forex to paying for ...

'My ex-husband passed away four years ago. We were married for 20 years.' "Is there any way I can claim some of his benefits other than the death benefits?" (Photo subject is a model.) Dear Help Me ...

Dear Liz: I am 68 and still working. I plan to wait until age 70 to maximize my benefit before taking Social Security. My spouse (born in 1956) passed away in 2018 after just beginning to draw her ...

With its workforce slashed, the Social Security Administration too often falters when processing survivor benefits. It took help from a Congressman’s staff to work it out. Last October, my mother ...

Your spouse dies on a Tuesday. By Wednesday, someone in your family is telling you to call Social Security. What almost nobody mentions is how many rules govern survivor benefits, how many ways you ...

Losing a spouse is emotionally overwhelming, and the financial decisions that follow can feel just as heavy. The rules regarding Social Security survivor benefits may be confusing for some, and many ...

For many retirees, Social Security benefits are one of their most important sources of income. But these benefits can be ...