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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linda s.
Hi My husband died 9 years ago And I AMerying to collect his soical benefits He died at 56, They said Im not eigable I will be turning 64 in March
A.C.
Hi, Linda. 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.
Sherri
I was formally married to my ex spouse who is now deceased, for 8 years but we were engaged and lived together for 6 years prior. Would I still be eligible for widows benefits?
I am 62 years old. If so, what documentation is needed to apply.
A.C.
Hi, Sherri. Thanks for visiting our blog. Your marriage had to have lasted for at least 10 years for you to be eligible for surviving divorced spouse benefits based on your ex-husband’s earnings, beginning at age 60. For more information, please visit our Survivors Planner. If you have additional specific questions, you can 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.
Crystal M.
My ex fiancée passed away in 2017. We have 3 kids together. We were together for over 10 years filed taxes as if we were actually married. Do I qualify for spouse’s survivor benefits?
A.C.
Hi, Crystal. We are sorry for your loss. Typically, you have to have been legally married for at least 9 months preceding his death and be at least age 60 to be eligible as a surviving spouse. For more information, please visit our Survivors Planner. For additional 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.
Tori P.
I am currently on social security disability. I am 62 years old. My ex-husband and I were married for 25 years until we divorced. My ex-husband is 62 years old and still currently working.
At what age would I be able to collect 1/2 of his social security benefits? His Social Security Benefit would by well over, at even 1/2 the amount, than mine currently is. Thank you.
A.C.
Hi, Tori. 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, be at least age 62, 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. We hope this helps.
Kimberly S.
I am wondering why it takes so long to get an appointment. My husband died on July 27, 2022, and I called the Social Security Administration and let them know of my wish to be able to collect on my husband’s Social Security instead of my own which is a smaller amount. They said I would be contacted by the local office to set up an appointment. So far no one has contacted me and every time I contact the local Office, I am on hold for 15 minutes then they hang up on me and then I have to try to call again, so far, I have not been able to get through. It is very frustrating.
A.C.
Hi, Kimberly. We are sorry to hear about your loss and your experience. If this is time sensitive, you may wish to visit your local office. 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.
Marissa
I am 37 my husband passed in 2021 him and I are both disabled.vI am having a hard time making ends meat. Even though I am in my 30s can I still receive his benifits
A.C.
Hi, Marissa. We are sorry to hear about your loss and situation. A disabled widow may be eligible for benefits if the person is between ages 50 and 60, the person meets the definition of disability for adults, and the disability started before the worker’s death or within seven years after the worker’s death. For more information about widow’s benefits, check out our Survivors Planner. Keep in mind you may be eligible to receive social services from the state in which you live. These services include free meals, housekeeping help, transportation, or help with other problems. To get information about services in your area and find out if you qualify, you will need to contact your state or local social services or welfare office. We hope this helps.
IAN M.
If I am eligible to receive SSA retirement benefits but have elected to postpone the benefits, on what benefit amount would my widow’s benefit be calculated should I die before I begin to collect? My basic benefit rate? Or the rate calculated based on my date of death? Or some other benefit rate? Thanks.
A.C.
Hi, Ian. Thanks for visiting our blog. It sounds like you are asking about survivors benefits for your spouse. The amount of their potential survivor’s benefit is based on several factors, including: your earnings, when you started receiving your benefits, their age at the time of your death, 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 about survivors benefits for your family, please visit our Survivors Planner. We hope this helps.
Ian M.
Thanks, Ann. Yes, I am inquiring about survivor benefits for my spouse. If my spouse’s benefit is based, in part, on the amount of my own retirement benefit, how is the amount of my retirement benefit quantified if I haven’t started receiving my benefits at the time of my death?
John M.
Hi, My Wife and are are 73 yrs old and both are receiving social security both incomes are required to survive this household. If I were to expire, would my wife get my benefits?
A.C.
Hi, John. Thanks for visiting our blog. The amount of her potential 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 about survivors benefits for your family, please visit our Survivors Planner. We hope this helps.
Ian M.
Hi. In order for my wife to be eligible for widow/survivor benefits, must I have been receiving SSI benefits before my death? Ian M.
A.C.
Hi, Ian. Thanks for visiting our blog. No, you do not have to have been receiving benefits for your death for your spouse to be potentially eligible. For more information about survivors benefits for your family, please visit our Survivors Planner. We hope this helps.
Sherry
I am 59 and widower . Lost my husband 8 years ago . I need to make an appointment to come and talk about survivors benefit . What documents do I need to bring with me ?
A.C.
Hi, Sherry. We are sorry to hear about your loss. To apply for benefits, call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). You can speak to one of our representatives between 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. You can also contact your local Social Security office. Generally, we will need to see a certified copy of your marriage license. For more information about survivors benefits, please visit our Survivors Planner. We hope this helps.