DISABILITY AND SURVIVOR BENEFITS
Throughout Pennsylvania, many people depend on Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, but what happens when someone’s spouse who was collecting SSDI passes away? In some cases, the surviving spouse is eligible for survivor benefits. This begs another question: Can someone receive both disability and survivor benefits at the same time? To understand this, it’s important to first understand how each works. Disability Benefits SSDI is reserved for people who cannot work full time due to a disability or other condition. The benefits they receive usually last from the time they are injured and determined disabled to the age of full retirement, which is 67 for anyone born during or after 1962. Once an individual reaches that age, the disability benefits convert to Social Security retirement benefits. This transformation is critical in determining whether someone can receive both disability and survivor benefits. Survivor Benefits Survivor benefits are monthly Social Security payments paid to a surviving spouse or eligible family member upon the death of a spouse who was either collecting Social Security or entitled to collect Social Security. To qualify for these benefits, the surviving spouse must meet certain marriage length and age requirements. For example, a surviving spouse who was in a marriage that was at least nine months long is allowed to begin collecting survivor benefits when they turn 60 years old. If the surviving spouse is caring for the decedent’s children who are 16 or younger, or who are disabled, they may begin collecting benefits at any age.
Both Benefits There are only certain situations in which a surviving spouse will be eligible to receive both types of benefits. In some cases, they will not be eligible. For instance, if the surviving spouse does not have a disability and starts collecting survivor benefits at age 60, then when they reach full retirement (typically at age 67) they will become eligible for Social Security benefits. At this point, they will start receiving the higher benefit, not both benefits. However, if the surviving spouse is disabled and receiving SSDI already, they will continue to receive full disability benefits in addition to the difference between the survivor and disability benefits, known as the excess survivor benefit. This process can be confusing, especially for those who are encountering it for the first time. If you have any questions regarding disability or survivor benefits, contact the Young Marr & Associates Pennsylvania or New Jersey office today.
SUDOKU
BACON AND EGG BREAKFAST PIZZA
INGREDIENTS •
1 package premade pizza dough 2 tbsp olive oil, divided
•
4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• • •
•
2 cups cheese of your choice, shredded
6 eggs
2 tbsp water
DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 400 F. Grease a 15x10x1-inch pan. Spread the dough evenly over the bottom of the pan and 1/2 inch up the sides. Prick it with a fork and brush with 1 tbsp oil. Bake until lightly browned, about 7–8 minutes. 2. In a nonstick skillet, heat the remaining oil on medium. In a bowl, whisk the eggs and water together. Add the mixture to the skillet and stir until thickened and no liquid egg remains. 3. Add the egg to the baked crust in an even layer. Sprinkle on the bacon and cheese, then bake 5–7 more minutes before serving.
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