Can Wealthy Woman Receive Social Security for Children After Spouse Dies

[ObliviousWorld]

I know a woman that works for the Government and makes around $80 thousand a year, collects around $3 thousand (tax-free) Post-911 benefits each month, has a live-in boyfriend of about 4 years that helps support the family, and she still receives full social security benefits for her two sons because her husband passed away in 2003. Is that legal? Seems like social security should be used on people that need it, not wealthy people that just waste it on shopping trips and luxury vehicles.

[Mr. Knowitall]

You're speaking of Social Security survivors insurance? Social Security benefits that are predicated upon a worker's history of earnings and payment into the Social Security system are not means tested - it's a system of insurance that helps families deal with the loss of a wage-earner.