Survivor Benefits: Four Tips Widows Need to Know
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: November 1, 2022
Months before the first Social Security check was issued in 1940, lawmakers made changes to the planned benefits. Instead of the retired worker’s benefit ending when he died, his widow could collect a survivor benefit for her lifetime. Since then, the eligibility rules for survivors have improved. The age requirements are lower, surviving ex-spouses are eligible, including surviving spouses and partners of same-sex relationships.
One thing that hasn’t changed is that the surviving spouse is often unsure how to start claiming their survivor’s benefits. We have some information to assist you in applying for benefits as a surviving spouse.
If you are a widow (or your ex-spouse died), you may be eligible to receive benefits on your late spouse’s, or ex-spouse’s, Social Security record. How much you receive will depend on your age, the amount of benefits you may receive on your own record, and whether you have dependent children.
You may be entitled to receive a survivor’s benefit under the following circumstances:
- At age 50 if you have a disability.
- At age 60 (the benefit amount will be reduced).
- At any age if you have a child under your care who is under age 16 or who became disabled before age 22.
- If you were widowed and remarried after age 60.
If you’re entitled to retirement benefits – but haven’t applied yet – you have an option. You can decide to apply for either the retirement or survivors benefits first. You can switch to the other (higher) benefit later.
To help make this decision, it’s important to know your Full Retirement Age (FRA). Your FRA is when you can start receiving your full retirement benefit amount. For instance, if you were born between January 2, 1943 through January 1, 1955, your FRA is 66. If you start receiving benefits before your FRA, your benefits will be reduced, generally for as long as you continue to receive benefits.
There are many variables involved. Contact Social Security to discuss which benefit to take first – before applying for either benefit. You want to be sure you’re choosing the option that best fits your financial circumstances.
All the information you need is on the Social Security website. You must apply for survivors benefits over the phone or make an appointment to apply in person. You will also need to provide certain original documents.
Local Social Security offices are helping people in person with or without an appointment. This means staff will take applications in person and they will be available to help and answer any question you may have. I encourage you to call and schedule an appointment in advance to save time and so you have all the documents we need to help you in one visit. Please share this information with your friends and family – and post it on social media.
Our posting of this blog does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation of any non-Social Security organization, author, or webpages.
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Donna S.
I’m on disability on my own. My husband passed May 20, 2022 he was receiving disability $1889.00 a month. I have applied for Survivor’s Benefits. Do I have to start process again just to get his benefits? Like am I applying for my disability again?
A.C.
Hi, Donna. We are sorry to hear about your loss. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
Rose
My ex died in May 2022. I applied for my own FRA SS retirement benefit in February 2022. I know I am eligible for survivor benefits but have no idea what his income was to determine if it would make sense to apply or not. Another twist is he may have been on SSDI when he reached his FRA and Im not sure how that would factor in. What should my next step be? I have not been able to reach my local SS office as I’m on hold for up to an hour before I am disconected.
MikeE
SSA sent me here for inquiries:
SSA Office of Public Inquiries & Communications Support (OPICS)
West High Rise Building, Room 1110
6401 Security Boulevard
Baltimore, MD 21235
A.C.
Hi, Rose. We are sorry to hear about your experience. Since you are currently receiving benefits, we encourage you to continue to work with your local Social Security office. You can also call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. Wait times to speak to a representative are typically shorter early in the day (between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. local time) or later in the afternoon (between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. local time). We are also less busy later in the week (Wednesday to Friday) and later in the month. Keep in mind, for those already receiving retirement benefits, you can only apply for benefits as a widow or widower if the retirement benefit you receive is less than the benefits you would receive as a survivor. For more information, visit our Survivors Planner. We hope this helps.
Elizabeth
How do I find out if my ex husband is still living, retired or disabled? I do not wish to have any contact with him.
Margarida G.
How many years of marriage are necessary to qualify for social security spousal benefits? NJ doesn’t recognize long term partnership as “married”
Thank you
A.C.
Hi, Margarida. Thanks for your question. According to current policy, a spouse must meet a 1 year duration-of-marriage requirement. Generally, a surviving spouse or widow meets this requirement, if the marriage took place no later than 9 months immediately preceding the day on which the worker died. We hope this helps.
Dee
I am widowed and 60, and I am considering taking the survivor benefit on my late husband’s record. I understand that there is an income limit of $19,560 for 2022. How is this determined if I apply in 2022? Would my income in 2021 be used for this measurement?
I also understand that for every two dollars I go over the $19,560, I will be penalized one dollar. How is this penalty taken from me; is it deducted from my monthly benefit or am I billed at some point to pay the full amount?
A.C.
Hi, Dee. Thanks for visiting our blog. If you are younger than full retirement age and earn more than the yearly earnings limit, we may reduce your benefit amount. If you are under full retirement age for the entire year, we deduct $1 from your benefit payments for every $2 you earn above the annual limit. For 2022, that limit is $19,560. For more information and how it works, please visit our Receiving Benefits While Working page. We hope this helps.
Jeanie W.
In 2009 I became a widow just before my 40th birthday with four children under 10 years old. Three of my children have now graduated high school and received S.S. until they graduated high school. For all three of them we had to have benefits extended because two graduated at age 19 and the other graduated months after she turned 18. My youngest will be 16 years old in December and I just received a letter that said I will not be entitled to a Social Security when she turns 16. I thought is was when she turned 18 or when she graduates high school. Will she still get benefits until she graduates? Why are my benefits stopping? I have a friend who became a widow a year ago and got full benefits for her and her last child until he graduated from high school.
A.C.
Hi, Jeanie. We are sorry to hear about your loss. Typically, a young widow or widower who is caring for the deceased’s child can receive benefits until their child reaches age 16. However, there are other factors that could affect your benefit. To learn more about Survivors benefits, please visit our If You Are The Survivor page. For specific questions about your benefits and hers, please call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
Judy D.
I’m devoiced from my husband and he remarried. But I didn’t. If he dies. Do I get some of his. Social security
A.C.
Hi, Judy. Thanks for visiting our blog. To be eligible for divorced spouse benefits, you had to be married to your former spouse for at least 10 years, and you cannot be eligible for a higher benefit on your own record. For more information on how to qualify for divorced spouse benefits, visit our Benefits Planner. As far as a surviving divorced widow, the amount of your widow’s benefit is based on several factors, including: the earnings of your husband, when he started receiving his benefits, your age, and the amount of your own retirement benefit. We compare your own benefit with your potential survivor benefit. If your survivor benefit would be higher than your own current retirement benefit, you would be eligible for survivor benefits. For more information, visit If You Are The Survivor page. We hope this helps.
Renae
Hello my husband and I will both be 62 this year. He has been receiving disability since March 2022. If I start my Social Security benefits this year and he passes away before I do, will I be able to draw his Social Security if the amount is more than mine?
Thank you
A.C.
Hi, Renae. Thanks for visiting our blog. The amount of your widow’s benefit is based on several factors, including: the earnings of your husband, when he started receiving his benefits, your age, and the amount of your own retirement benefit. We compare your own benefit with your potential survivor benefit. If your survivor benefit would be higher than your own current retirement benefit, you would be eligible for survivor benefits. For more information, please visit our Survivors Planner. We hope this helps.
wendy t.
hello My husband died in Feb of 2010 he was on disability from a job injury he worked all his life in oil field till last 4 years of his life . we were married in 1989
and was still married at the time of his death. I became disabled 3 years ago well I was told for some reason I missed collecting widows benefits by 2 months. I would get ssi until I was 60 or 62 don’t quite remember however I had to become disabled within 7 years of his death. the whole time I was waiting for a reply on disability and was told when I filed if approved I would get widows benefits from my husband. but when I was approved for disability 3 months later is all it took it changed on me when i was approved i was two months shy of 7 years . Was never told this when applied 2 months makes me have to wait til Im 60 or 62 I’m not but 56 now was 53 when approved. but ever place i read says at least age 50 if disabled anyone else have this problem. what does the age matter i was his wife never remarried if I can get at 60 or 62 the representative said and I’m permantly disabled nothing will change why can i not have it not ,I have to struggle on ssi til then for reason? CAN SOMEONE PLEASE EXPLAN
A.C.
Hi, Wendy. We are sorry to hear about your loss and your situation. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
Jacqueline I.
Hello. My husband died unexpectedly in March of 2019. He was only 52. I am just ‘waking up’ from Widow fog… I never knew I could get $255 one time as a death benefit. Am I too late to collect that?
T
If the eligible surviving spouse or child is not currently receiving benefits, they must apply for this payment within two years of the date of death.
A.C.
Hi, Jacqueline. We are sorry to hear about your loss. The Lump-Sum Death benefit of $255 (a one-time payment) may be payable upon the death of a person who has worked long enough to be insured under Social Security. An application for the Lump-Sum death payment must be submitted within two years of the insured person’s death. In addition, eligible family members may be able to receive monthly Survivor benefits. For more information on this, please check out our publication, How Social Security Can Help You When a Family Member Dies. We hope this helps.