6.1 What are the marriage requirements to qualify for spousal survivor benefits?

Must be currently married or have been married for at least 10 years if now divorced.

6.2 If a person who is not eligible for Social Security benefits (such as a federal employee) dies, does the surviving spouse get the Social Security benefit of the deceased?

If the deceased is not eligible for Social Security on her or his own earnings record, then a surviving spouse would not be eligible for Social Security based on the deceased's earnings record. If the surviving spouse had Social Security-covered earnings of his or her own, then the surviving spouse would be eligible for retirement or disability benefits based on their own earnings record. If there were a federal pension available there might be an offset in Social Security benefits. Contact the Social Security 800 number for an estimate of what you might be eligible for (I -800-772-1213).

6.3 If a father of 3 children passed away in 1983, would the surviving adult offspring be eligible for the father's Social Security benefit?

No, not as adults, unless, the adult was a surviving disabled child.

6.4 If a worker dies, why are you allowing the survivors to draw benefits until the youngest child reaches age 18? That seems too long; it should be set to a definite time period such as five years.

Social Security survivors insurance provides a benefit to the surviving spouse caring for children under 16 or who are disabled before age 22 and receiving benefits and to the children until age 18 (or 19 if in high school). This long period is desirable because of the social need.

6.5 If a husband isn't working and his wife who does works dies, does the husband get survivor benefits, or is there discrimination in that situation?

Widows and widowers are entitled to the same benefits if their working spouse dies.

6.6 Is anything being done to increase the death benefits from the current $255.00 to something comparable to the national average cost of a decent burial?

Such a proposal is not being discussed right now. Because it would increase the cost of Social Security, it would mean that taxes would have to be raised somewhat or other benefits would have to be reduced to balance the new cost. The debate now is about how to bring the system into long-term balance by lowering costs or raising revenues to maintain current benefits.