Dear Ms. Farrow: Never assume. Just because the wife is not on the SS Index does not mean she is still alive. She may have received the Benifits in Florida. She may have remarried and died under a different name. Never say never. I would go to Rootsweb.Look in both the County that the person died and the County that the benefit was last received. See if there are any Volunteers to do lookups. Ask their opinion. Ask for an Obit, Phone Book check or maybe the Death Cert can be viewed without paying for it. Florida is only $5. I do not know the rules of AARP. However they may be able to forward a letter to you living person if she is a Member. They will not tell you one way or the other if she belongs. Also try Genealogy Kindness. They have really Great Volunteers. Kathi In Oregon