Which of the following describes how one can become entitled to widow's or widower's benefits?

The entitlement to widow's or widower's benefits is closely tied to the work history of the deceased spouse. To qualify for these benefits, it is essential that the spouse who has passed away had accumulated a sufficient number of work credits through their employment. Work credits are earned based on the amount of income a person has over their working lifetime; specifically, individuals earn one work credit for a certain amount of income, with a maximum number of credits able to be earned each year.

This means that the deceased spouse must have worked long enough and had adequate earnings to qualify their surviving partner for benefits. The number of work credits required can vary, but it's crucial that the spouse's work history supports the claim for widow's or widower's benefits. Thus, the correct answer focuses on the necessity of the spouse's passing along with their established work credits, highlighting the connection between the deceased's employment and the survivor's eligibility for benefits.