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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Annette
Hello,
I believe I will be eligible for my deceased ex husband’s SS when I turn 60. We were married for 10+ years and I did not remarry. Is there any way I can see what the estimated amount I would receive at that time?
Thanks
Ann C.
Hi, Annette. Thanks for visiting our blog. If you are the divorced spouse of a worker who died and you are not married, you could get benefits just the same as a widow or widower. For more information, please visit our Survivors Planner. For an estimate for your potential survivor benefits, please contact your local Social Security office for assistance. We hope this helps.
Marie
My father died at age 42 in 1969. There were 3 of us minor children my mother cared for .Would she have received the combined benefits as the responsibility party and we were minors ? I do realize there is a family maximum benefit . I have submitted a request for the records if they are in my name
Ann C.
Hi, Marie. Thanks for visiting our blog. Typically, a surviving parent and spouse may receive benefits on behalf of minor children. However, for your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community to continue to 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.
Muriel E.
My husband receives SSDI but has been admitted to hospice two days ago. He doesn’t receive SSI. Our youngest daughter is 26 years old and is severely autistic. Would survivor benefits apply to me in this situation?
Ann C.
Hi, Muriel. We are sorry to hear about your husband’s condition and your situation. 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 learn more about survivors benefits, please visit our Survivors Planner. For additional 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.
Linda L.
I am 66 plus 7months, I wanted to collect my deceased divorced husbands SS starting now and then switch to my own at age 70. We were married for 22 years. I have been told I can do that and then I am told I can’t. I am confused. Which is correct?
Ann C.
Hi, Linda. Thanks for visiting our blog. If you are the divorced spouse of a worker who died and you are not married, you could get benefits just the same as a widow or widower. For more information, please visit our Survivors Planner. If you have additional 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.
Anonymous
Good afternoon. I was 33 years old when I lost my husband. Myself, and two children are receiving survivor benefits. From my understanding, these benefits last until my youngest child is 16. After this time, would I still be able to receive benefits, assuming I have not remarried? Would the mother’s benefits switch over to widow’s benefits? Thank you for clarifying, as there is so much I do not understand.
Ann C.
Hi. We are sorry to hear about your loss. You are eligible to apply for widows 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 on survivors benefits, 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.
Judy
How can I find out how much my survivor (widow) benefit would be? I am trying to determine if I should delay mine until 70 and use his starting in one year ( at FRA,) but I cannot make that decision unless I know the amount his would be. I know his SS number but I cannot access his information without committing fraud.
Ann C.
Hi, Judy. Thanks for your question. To get an estimate for potential survivors benefits, 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. For more information about survivors benefits, please visit our Survivors Planner. We hope this helps.
Albert R.
My aunt is age 35 and her husband age 40 just died. He contributed to Social Security for over 20 years. They have four children, ages 19, 18, 16, and 12.
Is my aunt entitled to survivor benefits?
Ann C.
Hi, Albert. We are sorry to hear about your loss. Typically, a parent 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 aunt’s potential benefit, such as earnings limits, and remarriage. To learn more about survivors benefits, please visit our Survivors Planner. Or, if your aunt has specific questions about her potential benefits, she 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.
Rhonda S.
I’m receiving Willow’s benefits I’m I eligible for Medicare? I’m 60 years of age.
Ann C.
Hi, Rhonda. Thanks for your question. If you’re under age 65 and receive Social Security disability benefits, you will get Medicare coverage automatically after you have received disability benefits for two years. Otherwise, you have to be age 65 or meet one of the other criteria. To learn more about Medicare, please visit our Medicare Benefits page. We hope this helps.
Ann C.
Hi, Rhonda. Thanks for your question. If you’re under age 65 and receive Social Security disability benefits, you will get Medicare coverage automatically after you have received disability benefits for two years. Otherwise, you have to be age 65 or meet one of the other criteria. To learn more about Medicare, please visit our Medicare Benefits page. We hope this helps.
Jessica
If I start collecting my SS 10 months before my FRA, will that decrease the percentage of survivor’s benefits I would get should my husband die. He waited until his FRA to collect.
Ann C.
Hi, Jessica. Thanks for your question. 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 at the time of his death, 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 about survivors benefits, please visit our Survivors Planner. For 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.
Peter
Hi,
If someone wants to begin his/her earned benefit after collecting survivor benefits, may that application be completed online or does this “switch” to earned benefits require an in person/phone application? Thank you, Peter
Ann C.
Hi, Peter. Thanks for your question. Since you are currently receiving benefits, you cannot apply online. If you have specific questions about your case or to apply, 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.