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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Rick H.
How long do you have to be married before you can receive spousal benefits?
Ann C.
Hi, Rick. Thanks for visiting our blog. 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. If you have specific questions about your situation, please call our toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. We hope this helps.
Angelina R.
buen dia mi Pension fue suspendida por no cubrir el requisito de pasar un mes calendario en USA, el tramite ya lo hice, pase el mes de Julio 2022 en San Antonio, pero aun no he recibido el deposito, cuanto tiempo mas va a tardar el pago?
Ann C.
Hi, Angelia. Thanks for visiting our blog. For information in Spanish, please visit us at http://www.segurosocial.gov, http://www.facebook.com/segurosocial, or http://www.twitter/segurosocial. For Social Security information in other languages, please visit us at http://www.ssa.gov/multilanguage. Thanks!
Kay
My husband died in March of 2022 and had been receiving SS for a few years. I am currently working, 68 yrs old and plan to work for a year. Do I qualify for my husband’s SS while I am working until I go on SS myself?
Ann C.
Hi, Kay. We are sorry to hear about your loss. If you are 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 Survivor Planner. We hope this helps.
Ramona T.
I personally submitted all paperwork for spousal benefits on June 6, 2022. I was told it would take 2 – 4 weeks before approval, etc. It is now September 14, 2022, and I have had no notice of when my application will be approved, etc. How can I find out why it is taking so long?
Roy J.
I sumit
Roy J.
I submitted a request for “deemed filing” on June 27, 2022 and waited more than 4 weeks and no reply.
Ann C.
Hi, Ramona. Thanks for visiting our blog. 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.
Judit A.
I was widow married to a us citizen who also a widower in India and he filed for my immigration in the US consualate in India. A year stay in India with me I got a visiting visa to USA and followed him . Six months stay in Us we went back to Inida where he passed away. During my first time visit my husband sold his house where he and his deceased wife owned . He have adults children from his first wife. He bought another house where we are living togher. My immigration papers are in procees . I dont know since my husband passed away what is my status on it. I m back in US again on visiting and SS issued me a temperrory Social security Card. My question is whether I m eligible for any spousal benefits or have any claim on his wealth.
Ann C.
Hi, Judit. We are sorry to hear about your loss. Unfortunately, your question is a bit more complex than we can answer in this forum. 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.
Flori O.
I am raising a relatives child with no support from the father. The mother died 7 years ago. I have had this child pre mother’s death. The child has been receiving the mothers death benefits along with the other sibling who are now over 18. Now after all this time the dead beat dad has applied for spouse death SSA benefits from the death of the mother. I was notified that this child’s benefits were being reduced to accommodate his claim along with repayment back to the SSA account which is over $6,000 and all of the other children will have to repay as well? I have the option to appeal the decision. Just don’t have a clue if my appeal will have any bearings on him waiting 7 years and him having full knowledge of the child’s benefits.
Lisa H.
Spent 32 minutes on hold, to see if I could receive my deceased spouse social security. I was told I could draw it when I turned 60.Was told by a rude man named Keith. I would need to be at my full retirement age. To draw it. Are take a reduction. If I filed earlier. That doesn’t seem fair.
Ann C.
Hi, Lisa. We are sorry to hear about your experience. 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. To find more information on survivors benefits, please visit our Survivors Planner. You can also submit feedback about your experience by visiting our Contact Social Security page. Once there, select the “Email Us” link. This will take you to the “Email A Question to our Support Team” form where you can complete and submit a compliment, complaint, or suggestion. We hope this helps.
Diana J.
My husband has received Social Security for awhile now. My question is I’m only 54 years old and if my husband passes away would I get survivor benefits until I’m old enought to draw my own Social Security? Do you have to be a certain age to receive survivor benefits? I work full-time now.
Ann C.
Hi, Diana. Thanks for your question. You would be 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. To find more information on survivors benefits, please visit our Survivors Planner. We hope this helps.
LOREDANA M.
My ex passed and I was on phone with social security lady, to take care of my kids first, after I ask for myself knowing I was entitled to be that I was married to him for 10 years, she was very rude she told me I have to wait when eventually I will get my pension to see what will be higher, can anybody help, please I want my benefit that all .
Ann C.
Hi, Loredana. We are sorry to hear about your experience. You can submit feedback by visiting our Contact Social Security page. Once there, select the “Email Us” link. This will take you to the “Email A Question to our Support Team” form where you can complete and submit a compliment, complaint, or suggestion.As far as surviving divorced spouse benefits, if the marriage lasted for at least 10 years, you could be eligible for surviving divorced spouse benefits based on your ex-husband’s earnings, beginning at age 60. If you are disabled, you could qualify for benefits as early as age 50 if the disability started before or within 7 years of your ex-husband’s death. For additional information on Survivor benefits, check out our Survivors Planner. To find out whether you qualify and if you need to file an application, you can call our toll free number, 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and ask to speak with one of our representatives, who are available Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
Susan
If I take survivor benefits at age 62 can I switch to my own benefit at a later time, like when I turn 70?
Ann C.
Hi, Susan. Thanks for visiting our blog. If you are 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 Survivor Planner page. We hope this helps.