Quick legal question for a friend.

[leftyladyfrommo]

Couple in their '50s. He committed suicide.

Can she collect survivor's benefits?

[elleng]

1. The Social Security Administration (SSA) offers survivors benefits

to the widow or children of the deceased. The widow and children must meet SSA guidelines to receive the benefits, not the deceased. If you're the survivor of someone who committed suicide, you may wonder if you can collect on Social Security benefits. Spouses and children of individuals are eligible for benefits, but they may be denied if the death was found to be intentional.

Although in most cases Social Security does not pay survivor benefits when the deceased intentionally commits suicide, there are a few exceptions to the rule. >>>

https://pocketsense.com/social-pay-survivor-benefits-suicides-8012054.html

[wishstar]

2. For Social Security widow's benefits she must be age 60 but suicide is not a factor

however the widow must have been married to the deceased at least 9 months before the death. For other private insurance payouts usually suicide only prevents a beneficiary from drawing out if suicide occurs in first 12 months after insurance policy is taken out.

[leftyladyfrommo]

3. Like it's bad enough she has to deal with all of this but

now her income is cut in half.

[leftyladyfrommo]

4. Thanks for the info! nt

[Tomconroy]

6. It looks like the suicide rule applies only if you had been

married less than 9 months. After that, by my reading, cause of death doesn't matter.

https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/cfr20/404/404-0335.htm