Every year, thousands of widows and widowers miss out on money they’re legally entitled to—simply because no one tells them it exists. The Social Security Administration offers survivor benefits, but the rules are complicated and often buried under red tape. Many surviving spouses don’t realize they can claim one benefit now and switch to another later for a higher payout. Others assume income or remarriage disqualifies them when it doesn’t. Knowing your options could unlock hundreds of dollars each month that you’ve already earned.
