Survivor benefits for widow

Social Security uses the deceased worker’s basic benefit amount and calculates what percentage survivors are entitled to. The percentage depends on the survivors’ ages and relationship to the worker. Here are the most typical situations:

• A widow or widower, at full retirement age or older, generally receives 100 percent
• A widow or widower, age 60 or older, but under full retirement age, receives about 71-99
• A widow or widower, any age, with a child under age 16, receives 75 percent of the worker’s benefit amount.
• Children receive 75 percent of the worker’s benefit amount.

You may also find these links useful :
http://socialsecurityhop.com/comment/834/ss-benefits-widows
http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10084.html#3