Final answer:
Survivor benefits in Social Security are based on the deceased worker's lifetime earnings and are available to widows, dependent children, and dependent parents under certain conditions. These benefits provide long-term financial support to the qualified survivors, ensuring a safety net for the deceased worker's family.
Step-by-step explanation:
Survivor benefits are part of the social safety nets provided by Social Security, primarily designed to assist the family members of a deceased worker who qualified for Social Security benefits.
These survivor benefits are based on the deceased worker's lifetime earnings and contributions to Social Security. Specifically, the benefit amount is calculated using a formula that considers the worker's average indexed monthly earnings.
Certain family members, including widows, dependent children, and in some cases, dependent parents, are eligible for these benefits.
The widow of a qualified worker, for example, can receive monthly benefits starting at age 65. Furthermore, these benefits are designed to provide long-term support, which can act as a crucial safety net for the surviving dependents.
It is important to note that how long these benefits last can also significantly impact the financial stability of survivors. In general, survivor benefits last for the duration of the qualifying family member's eligibility or until certain conditions, like remarriage or reaching adulthood (for children), are met.