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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cathleen l.
hi,
I was married to my deceased husband for ten years, I re -married after his death but that marriages was terrible. I am divorced. Will my divorce affect my ability to collect my deceased husbands benefits, Thank you !
Ann C.
Hi, Cathleen. Thanks for visiting our blog. If the marriage lasted for at least 10 years, you may be eligible for surviving divorced spouse benefits based on your ex-husband’s earnings, beginning at age 60. If you are disabled, you could qualify for benefits as early as age 50 if the disability started before or within 7 years of your ex-husband’s death. For additional information, 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.
Antoinette v.
My husband and I were living apart but still legally married he passed away on October 29th am I entitled to any of his social security
Ann C.
Hi, Antoinette. 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. For more information, please visit our Survivors Planner. We hope this helps.
Vera
My Husband passed away in 2989 . He ser
Edith H.
57yrs old Spouse died at 58 what I’m am eligible for rite now
Sherrie H.
My husband is in the final stages of hospice here at home. We are both drawing social security at this time. When he passes, I was told I needed some documentation when I called or made an appt with a local office to request survivor benefits and any other benefits that I am entitled to. Can you tell me what I will need besides his death certificate and our marriage license? Also, if he recieves his social security this month and passes away in this month, do I need to return this months check of the check for December. Thank you so much for your assistance.
Ann C.
Hi, Sherrie. We are sorry to hear about your husband’s condition. Generally, we will need an original or certified copy of the death certificate and marriage license for survivors benefit applications. As far as payments, Social Security benefits are paid the month after they are due. Assuming your husband receives his payment prior to his death, it would not have to be returned. However, in some instances, the financial institution will automatically return payments upon notification of the beneficiary’s death. For any 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.
Rekha
How do I make an in person appointment with the local social security office to apply for survivors benefits?
Ann C.
Hi, Rekha. 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.
Edith H.
57yr window can I get anything now from Social security! Spouse benefits? Anything?
Ann C.
Hi, Edith. 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. For more information, please visit our Survivors Planner. We hope this helps.
maryellen c.
hi i will be receiving my deceased husband benefits in jan of 2022 but i also will be having my 7 yr old granddaughter living with me due to both of her parents are incarcerated so will this affect my benefits.
Ann C.
Hi, Maryellen. Social Security benefits are not affected by living arrangements. However, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefit determinations may be affected by an applicant’s living arrangement. Also, your Medicaid benefits can be affected with this change. For more information, please visit our Understanding SSI Living Arrangements page. If you have 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.
Mary R.
My husband died October 14, 2022. We were married 14 years and I need to know if I have any benefits?
Ann C.
Hi, Mary. 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. For more information, please visit our Survivors Planner. We hope this helps.
Ann
Hi,
I was married to my ex-husband for 20 years. He remarried. I did not. In 2017, I retired and began collecting SS benefits on my own work record. Then in 2019, my ex-husband died. I think SSA contacted me, but I believed at that time that my own benefit was higher than 50% of his. Can I revisit that to make sure in case I am eligible for a higher amount? Can he have TWO widowers? Thanks.
Ann C.
Hi, Ann. Thanks for visiting our blog. You can contact your local Social Security office to discuss your potential benefits. 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. We hope this helps.
SUSAN S.
My husband and I were married for 60 years. I receive his SS $$$$ and am wondering if I should remarry do I continue to receive my first husbands SS check each month? I need the money that I receive now but I have heard two answers…..
one, I can keep getting the same amount that I receive now after remarrying ….and two, that I lose it if I remarry. Please help with my question.
Susan O’Neill
Ann C.
Hi, Susan. Thanks for your questions. 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.