QUESTION: When a person who has worked and paid Social Security taxes dies, are benefits payable on that person’s record?

ANSWER: Social Security survivors benefits can be paid to:

A widow or widower, unreduced benefits at full retirement age, or reduced benefits as early as age 60.

A disabled widow or widower, as early as age 50.

A widow or widower at any age if he or she takes care of the deceased’s child who is under age 16 or disabled, and receiving Social Security benefits.

Unmarried children under 18, or up to age 19 if they are attending high school full time. Under certain circumstances, benefits can be paid to stepchildren, grandchildren or adopted children.

Children at any age who were disabled before age 22 and remain disabled.

Dependent parents age 62 or older.

Even if you are divorced, you still may qualify for survivors benefits.

For more information, go to www.socialsecurity.gov.

QUESTION: Will my son be eligible to receive benefits on his retired father’s record while going to college?

ANSWER: No. At one time, Social Security did pay benefits to eligible college students. But the law changed in 1981.

This column was prepared by the Social Security Administration. For fast answers to specific Social Security questions, contact Social Security toll-free at 800-772-1213 or visit www.socialsecurity.gov