As a widow, which by the way, that title is so depressing, we really need to change that, but first things first. As a middle aged widow, minus the middle aged spread, I am writing this letter because, yet again, I feel an injustice is being done.
The injustice I refer to is that Social Security states that widows and widowers between the ages of 50 until 60 do not qualify for their spouses Social Security benefits. This law baffles me! Who created this law? Obviously they weren't a widow or widower between this age bracket. Obviously they forgot about us! Yes! Widows and widowers in this hole, pocket, whatever you want to refer to it as were forgotten!
The Forgotten Ones. How sad! Laws are in place to protect us as law abiding citizens, not to state that we do not matter. Heck yes, we matter! And it is time that Social Security remembers us. So, lets make some noise!
To begin with, I sent a letter to Veep, Joe Biden, asking for his assistance with this matter. I also sent him a signed copy of my book, Letter to Cancer, which I feel is quite an honor to receive. No response from Joe, yet.
I have sent the letter below to my local congressman. Next up are the senators. Followed by this article, I intend to get others on board to make some noise! I also filed a Widow's Benefits Application with Social Security. They of course denied it. I will now appeal it. I will continue to appeal it until I am 60 years old.
Social Security hopes that I remarry or maybe die before I reach age 60, but I have other plans. I have plans to be a pest. A pushy pest. I am righting a wrong. Seriously, if those who are age 50 and over qualify for AARP then we should also qualify for our spouses benefits.
Are you a widow or widower that falls into the 50-60 age bracket? Are you ready to join me in my movement to make some noise?
For those of you who do not know me...I am the one who stands her ground and believes we shouldn't just accept things that we feel are wrong.
I believe in having my voice heard and making a difference for all mankind, not just for myself.
Yes, I could be a pushy pest. Yes, I could be very annoying. Yes, I am driven and determined.
Mostly, I like a good challenge. I say, bring it on!
To Congressman Grayson,
I am writing to you to have my voice heard, for not only myself, but for widows and widowers age 50 to 60 years old. I mention this age bracket because in my opinion we are old enough for AARP, but yet we are not old enough to collect Social Security widow/widowers benefits.
How is this possible? Who decided what the appropriate age should be for one to become a widow/widower? Loss is loss. Grief is grief.
No, I do not have any children under the age of 18. No, I am not disabled. Unless anxiety is considered a disability? I've been a victim of panic attacks since I was 18 years old and lost my father and brother one week apart to their sudden and unexpected deaths. My anxiety escalated when I cared for my mother during her 6 year cancer battle which ended in 2003. Only to begin another cancer battle with my husband in 2008. So, yes, I suffer from anxiety, but I am just a white woman who cares for her grandchildren who also reside with her along with their parents, but according to our government I still do not matter. I rely on xanax to help me cope with my grief, anxiety and to allow me to function. I am a self-employed freelance writer which also serves as my therapy. So, to many, I do matter. I am a quality member of society, I have just been to hell and back a few times and could use my widow's benefits to help me keep a roof over my grandchildren's heads. I am a caregiver, always have been, always will be.
But, now I am a widow, supposedly I am too young to be a widow according to the law. A widow should be 60 years old or beyond. Well, cancer does not follow the Social Security guidelines.
My husband passed away on July 6, 2015 after a 7 year battle with prostate cancer. I was his sole caregiver. I worked full time to be sure my husband had the best care. He survived cancer spreading to his bones, spine and brain but eventually his liver failed. I was there when my husband took his last breath. I never left my husband's side. Now he is gone.
My husband, David's social security was our sole source of income, since I was his caregiver/wife and he was disabled due to cancer.
According to the law, there is no time to recover or grieve for your loss since you now have to support yourself and keep a roof over your family's head. Regardless of the fact that for my entire life I was a caregiver. From raising my children to caring for my mother for 6 years while she battled cancer to co-raising my grandchildren to caring for my husband during his cancer battle back to co-raising my grandchildren.
My husband was 64 years old. He worked for 50 years of his life and contributed to the Social Security fund. He felt I deserved what he would never be able to collect.
He often said that he was going to live until I turned 60 years old because he wanted me to be entitled to widows benefits. You see, my husband always put me first. Even when he was battling cancer. I told him not to worry about me and we often discussed how unfair the law was and that if I qualify for AARP then I should qualify for widows benefits. Don't you agree?
So on behalf of all widows and widowers between the ages of 50-60, I write to you, in my husband's honor and request that you help us make a difference.
Response from my local Congressman
I spoke with a Social Security clerk who suggested I contact my local congressman and below is his response. I am thinking Mr. Grayson remains clueless on my request for assistance.
August 24, 2015
Dear Linda,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on Social Security's age threshold for widow's benefits. Hearing from you helps me better represent Florida's Ninth Congressional District.
Like you, I understand that our nation's seniors have worked hard and deserve the peace of mind that comes with prudent retirement planning. Unfortunately, in today's economy, retirees often find they can no longer rely on their pension or Social Security and Medicare to provide a stable income and benefits.
I share your commitment to strengthening Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security benefits for our nation's seniors and those living with disabilities. After paying into these programs with confidence, our seniors deserve an adequate return on their investment. That is why I wrote a letter to President Obama opposing cuts to Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, which several members of Congress have signed on to. The letter states that we will vote against legislation that cuts Medicare, Medicaid, or Social Security benefits – including cuts to cost of living adjustments.
You can rest assured that I will keep older Americans in mind as I continue to protect retirement programs, Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.
I appreciate hearing from you on this important issue. If you have not already done so, I encourage you to sign up here to subscribe to receive email newsletter updates on the work I am doing in Congress and how it will affect you. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or comments in the future.
Sincerely,
Alan Grayson
Member of Congress
Really, Mr. Grayson? How does your response have any relation to my letter? You neglected to notice the part that I am only 52, not a senior...I am the one who is too young for widows benefits!! Just give us $255 and hope we will just move along? That is the ultimate insult.
