The blackout period is associated with which benefits?

• A. Social Security survivor benefits
• B. Disability benefits
• C. Medicare Part D benefits
• D. Group plan terms

Answer: (A)

In Social Security, a blackout period is the waiting interval after the death of the wage earner during which the surviving spouse cannot receive Social Security benefits. The survivor becomes eligible to start receiving the deceased worker’s survivor benefits only once certain conditions are met—typically at age 60 (50 if disabled) or earlier if the survivor is caring for a child under 16 or disabled. Because benefits don’t pay out during that waiting window, it’s the term used to describe the interval tied specifically to Social Security survivor benefits. Medicare Part D and most group plan terms aren’t governed by this SSA timing rule, and disability benefits follow their own rules, so the blackout period is associated with survivor benefits.