[Radix]

"If you are younger, and the old coot dies, you get nothing until you are retirement age."

I do not think that is the case. I know someone who is a widow and she collects one half a benefit (over $600. monthly). She is not even close to 60 years old yet and there are no children involved. I am going to look into this, because I am curious about it.

[cajungirl]

I am curious too as I thought that was not the case unless she is disabled.

What astounds me is that they will pay to ex wives as long as the marriage was so many quarters. But the widow even if she was married to the old coot for five minutes gets the full 3/4.

[Conservative_Rob]

If she is getting a benefit it must be a form of welfare - my father died at 59, and my mother had to wait for two years before she was eligible for Social Security

[STARWISE]

Speaking from experience, you get one benefit -- naturally, the greater amount -- but ONLY ONE! That really bugs me as does the fact that, when God calls us home, that money cannot be left to your heirs -- it GOES BACK TO UNCLE SAM!!

I've told my friends and kids -- if, God willing, I'm in a position to know that my days are numbered, I'm going to find a friend who understands what I'm doing, and get married -- so the dang money goes to someone I choose and it doesn't get thrown back into the pot. That policy really infuriates me -- and W was right when he said it was an unfair system. Most people don't know what the real deal is.