Definition Of A Widow(er)'s Annuity

An eligible widow(er) is a:

• widow(er) - a person who was married to the employee at the time of death;
• remarried widow(er) - a person who was married to the employee at the time of death and has since remarried; or
• surviving divorced spouse - a person who was married to the employee for at least ten years and was finally divorced from the employee.

Each of these groups of widow(er) have different requirements concerning marriage to the employee, as well as any remarriages. However, all widow(er)s have the same age requirement. (Refer to the appropriate sections in Part III for marriage and age requirements.)

If you are age 50 and a disability keeps you from earning money from working, you may file for a Disabled Widow(er)'s annuity.

NOTE: A widow(er) who is currently receiving a spouse annuity does not need to file an application. Refer to the section in Part V, "If You Are Currently Receiving A Spouse Annuity," for additional information.

Definition Of A Mother's/Father's Annuity

A Mother's/Father's annuity is payable to a widow(er) who is caring for the employee's minor child (under age 18) or disabled child (age 18 or over and disabled before age 22) who is entitled to a Child's annuity.

A Surviving Divorced Mother's/Father's annuity is payable to an individual who is finally divorced from the employee and has in his or her care the employee's minor child (under age 16) or disabled child (age 16 or over and disabled before age 22) who is entitled to a Child's annuity.

NOTE: A surviving divorced mother/father does not have to meet the same 10-year marriage requirement as a surviving divorced spouse.

A Remarried Mother's/Father's annuity is payable to a surviving legal or defacto spouse who has remarried after the employee's death but is now unmarried and has in his or her care the employee's minor child (under age 16) or disabled child (age 16 or over and disabled before age 22) who is entitled to a Child's annuity. The unmarried requirement is also met if the spouse remarried after attaining age 60.

Applicants for the above annuities must meet marriage and child-in-care requirements. No age requirements must be met.

If there is no child who is entitled to a Child's annuity, a Mother's/Father's annuity cannot be paid.

In addition, the child's relationship to the mother/father (stepchild, grandchild, etc.) may determine whether the Mother's/Father's annuity can be paid.

Definition Of A Child's Annuity

In order for a child to qualify for an annuity, the child must be unmarried, under age 18, and related to the employee as a:

• natural child;
• stepchild;
• legally adopted child;
• deemed child ( a child who was born of an invalid ceremonial marriage who would not have any rights under the state law for inheriting the employee's property);
• equitably adopted child ( a child who was never legally adopted by the employee);
• grandchild or step-grandchild, if the child's parents are deceased or disabled or the child was adopted by the employee's surviving spouse. There are also dependency requirements that a grandchild must meet before an annuity can be paid. These requirements can be explained to you by the personnel at the nearest field office.

Definition Of A Student's Annuity

You may be paid a Student's annuity if you:

• are unmarried, age 18, and attending elementary or secondary school full-time;
• meet the requirements to qualify as a child of the employee; and
• meet the age, attendance, and school requirements to qualify you as a full-time student.

NOTE: A student who is currently receiving a Child's annuity does not need to file an application.

Definition Of A Parent's Annuity

Any person described below who is at least 60 years old and was receiving one-half support from the employee before the employee died, is considered an eligible parent who may file an application.

• The employee's natural parent;
• the employee's stepparent, if the stepparent married the employee's natural parent before the day the employee reached age 16; or
• the person who adopted the employee, if the adoption took place before the employee reached age 16.