- An unmarried widow or widower or surviving divorced spouse can receive full benefits at full retirement age, or reduced benefits as early as age 60. (A remarriage after age 60 does not prevent entitlement.)
- A disabled, unmarried widow or widower or surviving divorced spouse can receive benefits as early as age 50. (A remarriage after age 50 and after the date you became disabled does not prevent entitlement.)
- An unmarried widow or widower or surviving divorced spouse can receive benefits at any age if they take care of the deceased worker’s child who is under age 16 or disabled and receiving Social Security benefits.
- Unmarried children under 18 and unmarried children age 18 or 19 attending high school full time can receive benefits. Under certain circumstances, Social Security can pay benefits to stepchildren, grandchildren, or adopted children.
- Unmarried disabled adult children can receive benefits if they became disabled before age 22.
- Dependent parents age 62 or older can receive benefits.
