Can I receive widow's benefits at age 60 if I have a VA pension?

Full question:

Can I recieve my widows benefits at 60 even though I get a pension from the VA from my husbands 100% service connected disability.

• Category: Social Security
• Date: 04/07/2025
• State: Washington

Answer:

You can receive widow's or widower's benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA) starting at age 60. However, if you start receiving these benefits before your full retirement age, they will be reduced slightly for each month you receive them early. If you later qualify for a higher retirement benefit, you can switch to that starting at age 62.

It's important to note that there may be an overlap between your VA pension and SSA benefits, which could require an offset. Therefore, it’s advisable to discuss your specific situation with a representative from the local Social Security or Veterans Affairs office.

For further information on VA Death Pension for widows/widowers, eligibility requires that the deceased veteran was honorably discharged and served at least ninety days of active military service, including one day during wartime. The surviving spouse's income must be below a certain limit set by Congress, and they must be unmarried.

To apply for benefits, you can visit the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website or contact them directly:

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
810 Vermont Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20420

For Social Security benefits, you can call or visit your local Social Security office:

Social Security Administration
Office of Public Inquiries
Windsor Park Building
6401 Security Blvd.
Baltimore, MD 21235

socialsecurity.gov