The 'blackout period' under Social Security survivors benefits refers to:
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Answer & full 3-part explanation (select an option above, or peek)
Why A is correct
Survivors benefits paid to a widow or widower caring for the deceased worker's children stop when the youngest child reaches age 16. (A child's own benefit may continue to age 18, or 19 if still in elementary or secondary school, but that does not extend the caregiver spouse's benefit.) Benefits then resume when the surviving spouse reaches age 60, or age 50 if disabled. The interval between these events is called the blackout period, during which no survivors benefit is paid. The blackout period is significant for insurance planning because it represents a gap in family income that life insurance can fill. Agents should consider the blackout period when estimating a family's Social Security survivors benefits.
Why the other options are wrong
- Retirement benefits have no blackout period of this kind; the term applies specifically to survivors benefits for a surviving spouse.
- The blackout period concerns the survivor's benefits, not the insured status of the deceased worker.
- The five-month disability waiting period is a different concept and is unrelated to survivors benefits for a surviving spouse.
Memory hook
Blackout = the silent years between the child turning 16 and the spouse turning 60, when survivor checks pause.