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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Joan
I am 76, fully retired @ age 70. I am currently working as a full time care giver for my son with multiple disabilities. The group I work for has offered benefits to supplement my Medicare. My question is: Can I have the company withhold pretax monies for co-pays etc. to pay what Medicare , my dental and vision plans do not pay?
A.C.
Hi, Joan. Thanks for visiting our blog. You should speak with your employer regarding your concerns. We hope this helps.
Carrie G.
I received my letter from SSA and it said “since we pay you on your own record, we decreased the amount we pay you on another record. What are the 2 records?
A.C.
Hi, Carrie. 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.
Nancy C.
My social security has been adjusted downward as a result of the windfall elimination. My husband has cancer stage 4 and we are reviewing our income and expenses for after he passes away. He receives his full social security. When he passes will my widows benefits be the full amount I would be entitled to or do you adjust those benefits downward for the windfall elimination? I was told by a friend that I wouldn’t receive any benefits because of the windfall elimination.
A.C.
Hi, Nancy. We are sorry to hear about your husband’s condition. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. To determine what your potential survivor’s benefit may be, please contact your local Social Security office for assistance. We hope this helps.
Eugene L.
if a retiree over age 70 marries, is spouse eligible for survivor benefit when he dies?
A.C.
Hi, Eugene. Thanks for your question. The amount of survivor’s benefit is based on several factors, including: the earnings of the spouse , when the spouse started receiving their benefits, the age of the survivor, and the amount of the survivor’s 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 survivor benefits, please visit our Survivors Planner. We hope this helps.
chris
my husband died and i got disabilaty. i had to claim my disability undet him because i didnt work the two years prior because he needed full care. the social security office said when i reached the correct age i coyld get his social security rather than my lower disabity payment
now they said i cant switch
S P.
I currently receive survivors benefits from my deceased husband. I took the benefits at age 62. I am still working and am now 70. How do I know if it would be beneficial for me to “switch” from to my own social security benefits based on my earnings?
A.C.
Hi, S P. Thanks for visiting our blog. 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.
Shannon B.
I would like to make an appointment for the Fontana office in California For widows benefit
A.C.
Hi, Shannon. Thanks for visiting our blog. 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. 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.
Tabitha S.
Need to set up appointment for death benefits
A.C.
Hi, Tabiltha. It sounds like you are referring to survivors benefits. To see who is eligible and how to apply, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.
Kathy W.
I have a comment that might seem negative but I can’t help it with my previous experience. It says here to make an appointment with my local office. I dread this. When my husband died, my kids were 4, 7, and 10. So I dealt with SS for a number of years and every time – without fail – I was told SEVERAL conflicting stories when I asked a question over the phone and then again in person with kids in tow. It was beyond frustrating. The person would just say “Well, I don’t know why they told you that” and then I would get another person who would contradict the first two! It was always insane. They don’t train their people properly, is what I’m guessing. Maybe there’s ONE person who knows the actual laws/processes and then everyone else is just interpreting it the way they see it? How do I know I’m getting the correct info?? I’m reading this website, but I need guidance as I approach retirement. Thanks, Kathy Wright
A.C.
Hi, Kathy. We are sorry to hear about your experience. You can create a personal my Social Security account to review estimates of your retirement, disability, and survivors benefits, your earnings record, and the estimated Social Security and Medicare taxes you’ve paid. To learn more information about retirement benefits, please visit our Retirement Planner. We hope this helps.
Cy
You cannot access information on your own retirement ss benefit, if you are currently receiving widows or survivors benefits.
Kelly D.
I am 59 year and 9 month disabled widow. I was told at 50 I could collect off of my husbands when 50. I went in they said he was dead two months to long. I had a seven year old son and was told I could receive nothing for him. He was from a relationship after my husband passed. I told ss that legally he would be responsible to support him because we are legall married, was told yes but he is not eligible for ss. So I lived or tried to live off of $655 a month for 2. So I had went back to work thru ticket to work program so I could live, only worked part time making any where from 60-150 per week. Last august I got a letter they were cutting the 169 I got from sup sec income, stated I had overpayment my check would start again the following month. It’s been a year I have never received it again. I called and now I had to reapply because they closed it. I now do not work and can use this but am told I’m not eligible now for it? And now they want to see if I’m still disabled because I had worked. After being told I could make 800 a month before my check would be affected and it would not bother my ssdi working in this program. What happened? I have lung disease that will never get any better only worse, why would I have to go thru this again? I am to collect my husbands February 2023, am I right in reading they will take 33% if I collect at 60? Or do I get his full. They told me in 2019 he would of got 1690., oh my god that would help so much instead of 660. My electric would not be shut off every month. My husband died at 40, if I could of received his at 50, I should get it now 60 my lung disease will only worked so whose to say I have ten years left. At 50 would it have only been a percent also? What about this past year I didn’t get any supplemental, now I’m not eligible my gross ssdi is 730 or close to that then why am I only receiving 660. I worked for six months that’s it. This time I worked two years before that. Does this sound right? How much of my husbands am I eligible for at 60?thank you!
A.C.
Hi, Kelly. 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.
IAN M.
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?
Donna
I am 71 and collecting survivor benefits. I will be going back to full time work soon. Will this affect my current SS benefits?
A.C.
Hi, Donna. Thanks for your question. When you reach full retirement age, your earnings no longer reduce your benefits, no matter how much you earn. Also, as long as you continue to work and receive benefits, we will check your record every year to see whether the additional earnings will increase your monthly benefit. If there is an increase, we will send you a letter telling you of your new benefit amount. For more details, visit our Receiving Benefits While Working web page. We hope this helps.
Thelma R.
You sure have that right ,I’ve called about 5 times different answers every time,that’s the government for you! 🤮
Thelma R.
Ann Not true I did NOT receive letter every year – none
Now I lost out on about $45,000.00
I sure wish I knew the person my letter should have gone to when I call on it they said SS did NOT receive any letter from my attorney who sent two!
Fran K.
I will be at FRA in Feb 2023. I currently work full time. I want to get widows benefits from my deceased husband. Does it matter how much I made in 2022 to begin collecting at my FRA in Feb 2023?
A.C.
Hi, Fran. 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 2023, this limit on your earnings is $56,520. We only count your earnings up to the month before you reach your full retirement age, not your earnings for the entire year. For more information, please visit our Receiving Benefits While Working page. We hope this helps.
Bendel R.
Are 401k and IRA withdrawals considered “earned income” in calculations with respect to the $56,520 yearly limit as well as the $1 for every $3 over that amount?
A.C.
Hi, Bendel. Thanks for your question. When we figure out how much to deduct from your benefits, we count only the wages you make from your job or your net profit if you’re self-employed. We include bonuses, commissions, and vacation pay. We don’t count pensions, annuities, investment income, interest, veterans benefits, or other government or military retirement benefits. For more information, please visit our Receiving Benefits While Working page. We hope this helps.