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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Nina F.
My ex-spouse died at age 75, I am 74, we were married for 12 years and neither remarried, am I entitled to his benefits?
Nina F.
Even though we were married for 12 years and neither remarried, Is it true that I cannot collect my now deceased ex-spouse’s benefits if I am currently collecting my own? It is either mine or his?
Ann C.
Hi, Nina. Thanks for visiting our blog. If you are already receiving retirement benefits, you can only apply for benefits as a widow or widower if the retirement benefit you receive is less than the benefits you would receive as a survivor. For more information, please visit our Survivors Planner. We hope this helps.
Ann C.
Hi, Nina. 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 additional specfiic 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.
Brad N.
How long do we have to be married before my widow can collect survivor benefits
Mary
I am a widow. I am on SS and am 74. I am thinking about remarrying a man that is 78 years old and on SS. He is receiving about $600. more than I per month. Am I eligible for an increase in my monthly amount after my marriage?
Ann C.
Hi, Mary. Thanks for visiting our blog. According to current policy, a spouse must meet a 1 year duration-of-marriage requirement. 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. For more information about spouses benefits, please visit our Benefits 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.
Ann C.
Hi, Brad. Thanks for your question. According to current policy, a spouse must meet a 1 year duration-of-marriage requirement. Generally, a surviving spouse or widow meets this requirement, if the marriage took place no later than 9 months immediately preceding the day on which the worker died. To learn more , visit our Survivors Planner. We hope this helps.
Celso
FRA for survivors benefit is age 66 for anyone born 1945 to1956. It increases by two
months for every year from 1957 to 1961. FRA is age 67 for anyone born 1962 or later.
I am the survivor born in 1958, this statement from SSA website is for calculation or for application? My FRA for retirement is 66+8 months and according to the survivor benefit for the year of 1958 is 66+4 months. I am very confused about what month I am supposed to apply for deceased surviving spouse benefit obtaining the full amount for the FRA.
I will be very appreciated for any help…
Ann C.
Hi, Celso. Thanks for your questions. If your full retirement age for survivors benefits is 66 + 4 months, you can apply up to four months in advance. For example, if your birthday is in June, your full retirement age month would be October. For more information about survivors benefits, please visit our Survivors Planner. 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.
Judy C.
I was married to first husband for over 10 years and he deceased 1yr ago. I remarried again for 24yrs and also divorced, still living exhusband. I am 71yrs old and am receiving my own retired SS benefit. Can I receive SS Widow benefits under my first deceased husband or will I have to under my last husband when he is deceased.
Celeste
I know that if you remarry under 60 years old (you) ARE NOT ENTITLED TO BENEFITS. IF YOU REMARRY AT 60 YEARS + YOU CAN RECEIVE BENEFITS.
You are entitled to either your own benefits or your now living husband that you were married to for 24 years. Check out which one pays more and get ahold of SSA. With what you said in your question/comment, if my math is correct, you remarried under the age of 60 years old. That disqualifies you for your deceased 1st husband’s survivor benefits. If I read it wrong, I apologize. Good luck.
I’m trying to get my benefits. I have waited 12 years (had to turn 60). My deceased husband wrote on his application that we were married for one year. If he were alive today, we would be legally married 33 + yrs if we stayed married today). SSA wants a divorce decree from me saying/proving that we were married for 10 years (eligible for survivor benefits or any bene’s). I do not have a divorce decree. I even turned in a letter from the courts expressing this. They have closed my application. I am going down to the office. I believe they need to research his application answers. I know we were married 21 years + before he died.
I almost fainted at the SSA office when the gentleman at the window told me I was married for one year. He was very cold and matter of fact. He kept saying prove it. I finally said, Prove What? We need your divorce decree. I left and called them. I have to go in. I am ignored on the phone. Happy Thanksgiving! I don’t usually respond to these. I guess I just wanted to give you food for thought and I guess I may have vented too much. God Bless!
Ann C.
Hi, Judy. Thanks for visiting our blog. If the marriage lasted for at least 10 years and you are unmarried, you may be eligible for surviving divorced spouse benefits based on your ex-husband’s earnings, beginning at age 60. Keep in mind 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, please visit our Survivors Planner. We hope this helps.
Deni
My husband was on SSDI and in 4 months would have been FRA but he passed unexpectedly. I don’t reach FRA for another 8 months. So do I need to reach FRA to collect 100% for his? If I collect survivor benefits, if I qualify at a reduced rate can I switch to 100% in 8 months? or do I just keep getting the reduced rate for the rest of my life?
Ann C.
Hi, Deni. We are sorry to hear about your loss. If a person begins to receive benefits prior to their full retirement age, their benefits are reduced. The reduction factors are permanently applied to all of the benefits the person may qualify for. 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, 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, please visit our Survivors Planner. For addtiional 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.
Elizabeth
my daughters father passed 6 yrs ago and they recieve benefits, my question is if I decide to get married will they lose those benefits? I am the representative payee.
Ann C.
Hi, Elizabeth. Your marriage would not affect your daughter’s benefits. 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.
Kathy
My husband and I were over 60 when he passed away. He earned well in his life. He injured in his construction business and was on SSD for a short time. He received a mice amount. He passed and I received 1/3. I am wondering why at my age now I am unable to receive the full amount? His is higher than mine.
Ann C.
Hi, Kathy. Thanks for visting 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.
Maria B.
At what age can i remarry and it not affect my
widows benefits?
Ann C.
Hi, Maria. Thanks for your question. If you remarry after you reach age 60 (age 50 if you have a disability), your remarriage will not affect your eligibility for survivors benefits. To learn more about how marriage affects benefits, visit our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.
Sharon
I am 62, retired receiving my pension and widow benefit from SSA. If I withdraw my 401K, will that affect my widow benefit?
Ann C.
Hi, Sharon. Thanks for your question. 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.
Vijay
Thanks for your efforts in sharing this kind of blog with us. I like it.
Swaraj 717