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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Judy M.
My husband died on 9/11/22. Both he and I receive monthly SS payments. As a surviving spouse with no dependents, would I have any benefits?
Ann C.
Hi, Judy. We are sorry to hear about your loss. 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 learn how much you could be eligible to receive, 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.
Paula A.
I am 53 years old and started receiving benefits after my husband died in 2009. My youngest child just turned 16 and my benefits stopped. I don’t understand why this happened. Is there anything I did wrong or is there any way to start my benefits back?
Ann C.
Hi, Paula. We are sorry to hear about your loss. Typically, a widow 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, such as earnings limits, and remarriage. To learn more, please visit our Survivors Planner. Or, if you have specific questions about your case, 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.
Mary S.
My husband died in 2002. I am 53 now. Is there a way to find out roughly what my benefits would be when i’m 60 if I take widow benefits before switching to mine at full retirement age?
Ann C.
Hi, Mary. We are sorry to hear about your loss. To learn how much you could be eligible to receive, 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. For more information about survivors benefits, please visit our Survivors Planner. We hope this helps.
Ella G.
I was just informed that the age for widows benefits has moved to 60 1/2. I would like to know if that is true.
Ann C.
Hi, Ella. Thanks for visiting our blog. 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 Survivors Planner. We hope this helps.
Nancy M.
My spouse I was married to for 18 years died in 2020, but we were separated since 2009 and remained married, I called the social security office and ask if i could get widowed ss benefits from my deceased spouse, and they told me I would have to wait until I reached ago 60. Is this true? And if so why?
Ann C.
Hi, Nancy. Thanks for visiting our blog. Yes, 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 about survivors benefits, please visit our Survivors Planner. We hope this helps.
Rose C.
My husband died 5/19/2019- I am 66 years old and would like to know if I am eligible to receive his social security. If I am eligible I would like to know my next steps as I have been trying to contact the local SS office in Houma, La. Please inform me of what I need to know to see if I am eligible and what my next step is.
Thank you for your assistance
Ann C.
Hi, Rose. We are sorry to hear about your loss. 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 and how to apply, please visit our Survivors Planner. We hope this helps.
Carol
I have been receiving widow pension benefits since I was 60. I am 64 now and would like to get married? Would I lose my benefits?
Ann C.
Hi, Carol. Thanks for your question. If you receive retirement or Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) benefits, your marriage will not affect your benefit. If you are receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), widow or widower’s benefits, your marriage may affect your benefit. To learn more about how marriage affects benefits, visit our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps
Lynette F.
I have been receiving my deceased husband’s benefits. I’m turning 70 and would like to access my benefits instead . How do I do this?
Ann C.
Hi, Lynette. Thanks for your question. Since you are curently receiving benefits, please contact your local Social Security office for assistance. We hope this helps.
Anthony T.
I recently started receiving a widows pension , I have been on social security for 7 years already. Does the widows pension last for the rest of my life ? ( my ex wife died in April , I am unmarried and plan to stay that way ).
Ann C.
Hi, Anthony. Thanks for visiting our blog. If you receive benefits as a widow, widower, or surviving divorced spouse, you can switch to your own retirement benefit as early as age 62. This assumes you are eligible for retirement benefits and your retirement rate is higher than your rate as a widow, widower, or surviving divorced spouse. For additional information about survivors benefits and what may affect entitlement, please visit our Survivors Planner. We hope this helps.
Laura
If I take early retirement benefits and my spouse passes prior to my full retirement age, do I have the option to continue with my benefits and delay receiving the Survivor benefit until I’ve reached FTA so as not to have a penalty applied to the Survivor benefit amount? His Survivor benefit is greater than my early retirement benefit and my full retirement benefit. I have read that if already receiving a Spousal benefit, it will automatically switch to the Survivor benefit upon the spouse’s death. Is this always the case?
Ann C.
Hi, Laura. Thanks for your question. 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, please visit our Survivors Planner. We hope this helps.