title: Widows and social security.
abstract: This article provides policymakers with context for understanding past and future policy discussions regarding Social Security widow benefits. Using data from surveys, projections from a microsimulation model, and recent research, it examines three types of benefits-those for aged widows, widows caring for children, and disabled widows. The economic well-being of aged widows has shifted from one of widespread hardship to one in which above-poverty, but still modest, income typically prevails. Many aged widows experience a decline in their standard of living upon widowhood, a pattern which is pronounced among those with limited education. Widows caring for children have been a sizeable beneficiary group historically, but policy changes and demographic trends have sharply reduced the size of this group. Family Social Security benefits ensure a modest level of household income for widows caring for children. Disabled widows differ from the other groups because they are at higher risk for poverty.
authors.affiliation: Office of Retirement Policy, Office of Retirement and Disability Policy, Social Security Administration, USA.
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Weaver
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011050:Policy Making; D011203:Poverty / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012943:Social Security / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States; D017805:Widowhood / Q000191:economics*