Aged widow(er) (Family Member form)

To be entitled to benefits as the nondisabled widow(er) of a person who died fully insured, a claimant must:

• be the widow or widower of the insured;
• have attained age 60;
• be unmarried, unless the marriage occurs after age 60;
• have been married to the insured for not less than 9 months immediately prior to the day the insured died, unless death was accidental or certain other exceptions;
• have filed an application, or be entitled to spouse or mother or father benefits in the month before entitlement to a widow or widower benefit;
• not be entitled to an old-age benefit which exceeds the full widow(er)'s benefit.

For more information on aged widow(er) benefits, see the OASDI Digest.