You probably know people who are receiving Social Security survivors benefits because they're a widow or widower. At present, there are about 5 million widows and widowers receiving monthly Social Security benefits based on their deceased spouse's earnings record.And, for many of those survivors, particularly aged women, those benefits are keeping them out of poverty. Your widow or widower can receive:reduced benefits as early as age 60 or full benefits at full retirement age or older. benefits as early as age 50 if he or she is disabled AND their disability started before or within seven years of your death.ote: If a widow or widower who is caring for your children receives Social Security benefits, he or she is still eligible if their disability starts before those payments end or within seven years after they end. Widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses cannot apply online for survivors benefits.