Denton County Living Well Magazine Spring 2015 | Page 47

Factoring Social Security
Survivor Benefits into Retirement
Courtesy Barlow Capital Advisors, Dan and R. Brennan Barlow

A

lthough there’s a great deal
of speculation these days
surrounding the future of
Social Security, we know
many Americans have factored Social
Security benefits into their retirement
plans.
If you have a family, Social Security
also provides dependent benefits to
surviving spouses (and ex-spouses),
surviving children and, in some cases,
surviving parents. Here are some good
things to know if you or your loved
ones fit into one of these categories.
Surviving spouses. If you were
married to your deceased spouse for
at least nine months and you are not
remarried, you may begin to draw Social Security benefits as early age 60
(age 50 if you are disabled). If you are
taking care of a child who is younger
than 16 or disabled, there is no minimum age requirement. The nine-month
d