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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Anita r.
My husband just died 2 weeks ago. He was 59. I’m 65 and have not yet started collecting my social security.
I have a lot of questions about where to go from here. Have been waiting on the phone on hold for over an hour just trying to make an appointment.
would I have a better chance of talking to a real person if I showed up in person with out an appointment?
A.C.
Hi, Anita. We are sorry to hear about your loss and your experience. If you are also eligible for retirement benefits, but haven’t applied yet, you have the option to apply for retirement or survivors benefits now and switch to the other (higher) benefit later. For more information, please visit our If You Are The Survivor page. You can also contact your local Social Security office for assistance. Keep in mind most local offices have resumed in-person service for people without an appointment. Customers who walk in without appointments may encounter delays. Visit How to Get Help from Social Security to learn more, including what to know if you need to visit an office. We hope this helps.
Becky A.
If a husband begins drawing benefits at age 70 and wife draws at age 62: When the husband dies, would the wife be able to receive the full amount of husbands survivor benefits, or would it be decreased because of wife’s early retirement at age 62?
A.C.
Hi, Becky. Thanks for visiiting our blog. The amount of a widow’s benefit is based on several factors, including: the earnings of their husband, when he started receiving his benefits, their age, and the amount of their own retirement benefit. We compare their own benefit with their potential survivor benefit. If their survivor benefit would be higher than their own current retirement benefit, they would be eligible for survivor benefits. For more information, please visit our Survivors Planner. We hope this helps.
emily h.
hello, my common law husband and I were together for 20 years. We never got a marriage license, but I was able back then to change my last name to his. We were legally divorced and I do have the divorce decree. I read that in the state of Texas one does not have to be legally married to receive benefits. Is this correct?
A.C.
Hi, Emily. Thanks for visiting our blog. Social Security follows the state laws. So, check the laws in your state. To get survivors or spouses benefits you generally must live in a state that recognizes common-law marriage. However, most states (even those that do not recognize in-state common-law marriage) will recognize a common-law marriage entered into in another state that does. We hope this helps.
catherine
If I (age 67) take a widows benefit now, which is lower than my benefit, will this impact my benefit which I had not planned to take until age 70? Thank you
A.C.
Hi, Catherine. Thanks for your question. If you are also eligible for retirement benefits, but haven’t applied yet, you have the option to apply for retirement or survivors benefits now and switch to the other (higher) benefit later. For more information, please visit our Survivors Planner. We hope this helps.
Robin F.
If I delay SS benefits to age 70 and my spouse is at full survivor retirement age will she receive 100% of my age 70 benefit, assuming of course it is more that her own benefit?
A.C.
Hi, Robin. Thanks for visiting our blog. It sounds like you are referring to potential survivor benefits for your spouse. The amount of your spouse’s survivor benefit is based on several factors, including: your earnings, when you started receiving your benefits, their age, and the amount of their own retirement benefit. We compare their own benefit with their potential survivor benefit. If their survivor benefit would be higher than their own current retirement benefit, they would be eligible for survivor benefits. For more information, please visit our Survivors Planner. To see what their potential benefit might be, your spouse can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. They can also contact their local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
Pete N.
Hi
My wife died on August 2nd this year aged 67. I, as her husband am a British subject having lived in the United States since April 2009. We married in England in 2002. I need to know if i can claim spousal benefits from my wife’s S.S. I have never worked in the United States.
A.C.
Hi, Pete. We are sorry to hear about your loss. In certain cases, noncitizens can receive Social Security benefits. But, in order for you to receive benefits, we must have evidence of your lawful presence. That means before we can pay out benefits for any given month, we must have evidence that you were lawfully present in the United States, during that month. To learn more, please viist our Frequently Asked Questions. For information about survivors benefits, check out our Survivors Planner. If you have additional specific questions, 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.
Kathy A.
My husband passed in 2016. I did not apply for survivor benefits because of my income. When I turned 62 I started receiving my Social Security, and still working. I hope to be able to draw his social security when I reach full retirement in two years. How do I find out about his amount? His account was closed after death. Is his money still growing or capped since death? What are the steps I need to take?
A.C.
Hi, Kathy. 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. To see what your potential benefit might be, 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.
janet P.
Hi Cindy –
I will reach FRA for widow benefits soon. At that point will my earnings ($70,000 // yr) affect that, or will that not matter since as a survivor FRA is reached? Thanks,
A.C.
Hi, Janet. Thanks for your question. In the year you reach full retirement age, we deduct $1 in benefits for every $3 you earn above a different limit. In 2022, this limit on your earnings is $51,960. We only count your earnings up to the month before you reach your full retirement age, not your earnings for the entire year. Beginning with the month you reach full retirement age, your earnings no longer reduce your benefits, no matter how much you earn. For more information, please visit our Receiving Benefits While Working page. We hope this helps.
Brianna B.
My spouse is dead can I receive his benefit if I am receiving an award from workers conpensation injury from OWCP?
A.C.
Hi, Brianna. We are sorry to hear about your loss. Generally, if you receive a payment from worker’s compensation, a public disability benefit, or a pension based on earnings not insured under Social Security, it may reduce your Social Security Disability benefits not survivors. Please see our pamphlet, How Workers’ Compensation and other Disability Payments May Affect Your Benefit, for additional information. You are eligible to apply for survivor benefits when you reach age 60 (age 50 or over if disabled). However, there are other factors that may affect your entitlement to these benefits. For more information about survivors benefits, please visit our If You Are The Survivor page. We hope this helps.
Pat F.
MY wife is collecting Social Security and I am past FRA but still working. Should her benefits be based on my earnings or hers? If I decide to take my benefits while still working does that lock the amount she can claim in Survivor Benefits?
A.C.
Hi, Pat. Thanks for visiting our blog. First, keep in mind that if your wife qualifies for her own benefits and for benefits as a spouse, we always pay her own benefits first. If her benefits as a spouse are higher than her own benefits, she will get a combination of benefits equaling the higher spouse benefit. For more information about spouse’s benefits, please visit our Benefits Planner. Second, the amount of her widow’s benefit is based on several factors, including: your earnings, when you started receiving your benefits, her age at the time of your death, and the amount of her own retirement benefit. We compare her own benefit with her potential survivor benefit. If her survivor benefit would be higher than her own current retirement benefit, she would be eligible for survivor benefits. For more information, please visit our Survivors Planner. If you have additional questions, she can contact her local Social Security office for assistance. We hope this helps.