Just to let you know, you are not alone in this situation, there are about five million widows and widowers receiving monthly Social Security benefits based on their deceased spouse's earnings record
Will your wife be relying on benefits based on your earnings should you pass away before her?
Yes, she would
What happens if my spouse remarries? If their future spouse is a Social Security beneficiary and the amount they receive  is more than the widow's benefit on my record, what happens?
In this instance, your spouse will receive a combination of benefits that equals the higher amount applicable
How do you actually define widows and widowers?
If an adult child is already receiving SSI benefits or disability benefits on his own record how would that affect the possibility of receiving benefits from their parents records?
They should check if they can get benefits payable on their parent's earning record to see if they can get higher benefits and if they are entitled to receive Medicare.
We define the disability of widows and widower exactly the same as we define disability for workers
Can you tell me the details on what are the benefits my children will be eligible to after I pass away?
Any unmarried children that you have up to the age of 19 if attending elementary or secondary school full time are eligible for receipt of Social Security benefits when you pass away
Do you need further information in this regard?
Yes, I would like to receive guidance and any further information you may have
I will refer you to our publication in this matter, all your questions will be answered in this particular bulletin
If my widow is in receipt of benefits after I die and is then entitled to receive benefits in her own right, what happens?