Social Security Administration underpays widow(er)s and misses additional benefits
Updated
Updated · MarketWatch · Apr 30
Social Security Administration underpays widow(er)s and misses additional benefits
10 articles · Updated · MarketWatch · Apr 30
An inspector general report said 8,618 surviving spouses were shorted about $50.4m, while 5,367 may have lost another $113.8m through poor claiming guidance.
The watchdog said staff incorrectly applied the WINDEX benefit formula, with as many as 40% of surviving spouses potentially affected and average underpayments of $5,448.
The report said widows and widowers, often among the poorest older Americans, may also have been harmed by advice on delaying claims; the agency said it is taking corrective action.
The SSA underpaid widows by millions. What can you do to ensure your own benefits are correct?
Amid massive staffing cuts, how will Social Security stop costly errors from harming vulnerable seniors?
As its trust fund dwindles, can the SSA fix its systemic failures before it's too late?