General Questions, Guest Bloggers, Survivors

Survivor Benefits: Four Tips Widows Need to Know

May 27, 2022 • By

Reading Time: 2 Minutes

Last Updated: November 1, 2022

Photo of Cindy HounsellMonths 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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About the Author

Cindy Hounsell, President, Women’s Institute for a Secure Retirement

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Comments

  1. Cathy B.

    I’m 51 and disabled. I have been collecting my disability since 2012.
    My husband passed away July 7, 2022.
    I did everything I was suggested to do ( request widow benefit appointment, make sure Social Security had a good copy of the death certificate). I received the one time death benefit quicker than I was told
    Can you please explain why I have to wait up to 8 months to receive the disabled widow benefit? The financial hardship is causing me more health issues.

    • A.C.

      Hi, Cathy. We are sorry to hear about your loss and condition. 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 is resolved soon. 

  2. Suzie

    My husband passed away September 27, 2022 at the age of 83. I am 61 years old and I still work full-time. I am eligible for survivors benefits according to a recent conversation with the SSA, but how does my working and my income affect my eligibility?

    • A.C.

      Hi, Suzie. Thanks for your question. There are limits on how much survivors may earn while they receive benefits. For more information, please visit our Receiving Benefits While Working page. We hope this helps. 

  3. Shelley S.

    I opted to take early retirement at 62 for health reasons. I was told by the agent that when I reach full retirement age, I would be entitled to apply for a percentage of my husbands benefits if it was more than what I was receiving. He did apply at full retirement age.
    Is this true, how do I do it? What is the percentage of his benefit am I entitled to, if it equals more than what I receive now.
    Thanks in advance

    • A.C.

      Hi, Shelley. Thanks for your questions. To qualify for spouse’s benefits, your spouse must be receiving retirement or disability benefits. Keep in mind that if you qualify for your own benefits and for benefits as a spouse, we always pay your own benefits first. If your benefits as a spouse are higher than your own benefits, you will get a combination of benefits equaling the higher spouse benefit. Visit our Benefits Planner for more information. We hope this helps. 

  4. Dianna

    I am still confused as to the filing of my upcoming SS along with what I receive as a widow

    • A.C.

      Hi, Dianna. Thanks for visiting our blog. If you currently receive survivors benefits, you can switch to your retirement benefit later if it is higher. For more information about survivors benefits, please visit our Survivors Planner. For specific questions, 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.

       

       

  5. Derek

    i am 43yo disabled and live within my parents’ home both of whom just turned 65yo and have retired as of last Friday. My mother tells me that my benefits will go up now since they have both retired. is this true?

    • A.C.

      Hi, Derek. 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.

  6. Barbara B.

    how can I get an appt at a local office? I can’t find phone number for the office in Mt. Laurel, NJ. Its for a widow whose husband recently passed away? Thank you,

    • A.C.

      Hi, Barbara. Thanks for visiting our blog. 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.

  7. Joanne R.

    I need to know if my benefits will be affected if I marry?

    • A.C.

      Hi, Joanne. 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), local  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. 

  8. Paula C.

    Hi Deanne,
    My husband recently passed away without ever claiming any of his social security benefit. He was waiting until age 70 he was 69 and 5 months. How do I determine what his benefit would be?

    Thank you

    • A.C.

      Hi, Paula. Thanks for visiting our blog. 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 (if at all), 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. To find more information about survivors benefits, please visit our Survivors Planner. For 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.

       

  9. Jean

    Not sure if you received this message from jean

  10. Deanne K.

    Can I get a copy of my deceased husband’s earning record?

    • A.C.

      Hi, Deanne. Thanks for visiting our blog. You can request earnings information from the record of a deceased person if you are: 

      • The legal representative of the estate; 
      • A survivor (that is, the spouse, parent, child, divorced spouse of divorced parent); or 
      • An individual with a material interest (e.g. financial) who is an heir at law, next of kin, beneficiary under the will or donee of property of the decendent. 

      For more information and to make a request, please see our Request for Social Security Earning Information form. We hope this helps. 

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