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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Gloria p.
I was marry to my husband for 21yrs. Been divorced for 15yrs. He is a veteran could I get a veteran card are discount
A.C.
Hi, Gloria. Thanks for visiting our blog. You will need to contact the Veteran’s Administration for assistance. Thanks!
Marsha S.
What kind of help if any ,is a adult child of whom both parents died .Are they entitled to any benefits from deceased parents if the where not their biological child but they adopted child age 5years old.Thank you
Angela R.
I’ve been going through this for over 6 months. An adopted child is still their child. Unfortunately after 18th Birthday unless still in school can’t continue to receive survivors benefits unless they are disabled. You will have to prove this with medical documentation. The child would have had this disability before 22. Prior to 18 or ASAP you need to apply for disability benefits under their parents called DAC.
A.C.
Hi, Marsha. Thanks for visiting our blog. An adult who became disabled before age 22 may be able to receive benefits on a deceased parent’s record. To learn more about how a person can qualify and apply for these benefits, please check out our publication, Benefits for Children With Disabilities. We hope this helps.
Connie
My husbands and my benefit is almost the same amount. He is 12 years older than me. I know only my amount will be near impossible to survive by myself and same should I pass first. Is the surviving spouse able to collect some of the other spouses ss benefits along with their own?
A.C.
Hi, Connie. Thanks for your question. The amount of a potential widow’s benefit is based on several factors, including: the earnings of the husband, when he started receiving his benefits, her age, 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, please visit If You Are The Survivor page. We hope this helps.
Denise F.
My question is,My spouse an I were together from 1992/ 2012 up til he passed away. We were considered common law up til they did away with that. My question,Am entitled to widows benefits?
A.C.
Hi, Denise. We are sorry to hear of your loss. Social Security follows the state laws. So, check the laws in your state. To get survivors or spouses benefits you generally must live in a state that recognizes common-law marriage. However, most states (even those that do not recognize in-state common-law marriage) will recognize a common-law marriage entered into in another state that does. Hope this helps.
Allison M.
So I am 47 in July and Disabled. I know I have 65 work credits, but my husband who was with me in middle of non contested divorce which never happened as they never sent the paperwork back court had wrong zip code. We started to reconcile and then he got lung cancer. He was living w me had joint income tax i filed. They said i wouldn’t have gotten death benifit if he didn’t have enough work credits. Ihe didn’t work on books in our marriage but he could have with his dad, idk they owned a company called rapid transport. So at 50 since i become disabled zwo years ago I can get his benifits? What about mine? Im on SSI because a judge denied me at first so I lost date last insured. When im 50 do I get it plus my SSI. Do i get medicare? Im confused about the laws on this
A.C.
Hi, Allison. Thanks for visiting our blog. Unfortunately, your question is a bit more complex than we can answer in this forum.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.
Bee S.
Why is your social security check take back when u or your spouce dies?
Angela R.
My spouse died on Sept 30. Anything from his account that wasn’t used in Sept went back to Soc Sec. Only his amount not any benefits paid to children. With my circumstances the funeral home didn’t report death before his next check was deposited. So they had the bank send it back.
A.C.
Hi, Bee. Thanks for your question. This may not be the news you were hoping to hear, but we wanted you to hear it straight from us. To be eligible for Social Security benefits, a person has to live throughout the entire month to receive his or her check. Therefore, when a person passes away, Social Security benefits are not payable for the month in which a beneficiary dies. This applies whether the person dies on the first or the last day of the month. We hope this helps.
James H.
A divorce should be viewed as total and final severing of any,
All Financial responsibilities. Both spouses can continue on with separate life’s. All else is responsible in any case.
Pj
You are incorrect. I was married 42 years. My husband wanted me to be a homemaker and I worked part time. He divorced me and his survivor benefits are 3x mine. Should I live in poverty after 42 years of taking care of him and my family?
Saundra
If my husband died after we both reached FRA can I claim his.benefir if its higher than mine?
Would it matter that I have a state teacher’s pension ?
Dick S.
Yes you can they will give you the higher one or give you the difference of his added to yours
Saundra
If my husband died after age 80 and we were both drawing our own benefits…can I switch and claim his if its more than mine?
What if I also have a state teacher’s pension?
A.C.
Hi, Saundra. 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.
M. D.
I lost my Husband at the age of 53 and I am disabled. I receive SSI and SSDI, but I was told that I was not disabled according to the SS qualifications which is not true. I was told I could fight for my husband’s benefits, but if I loose. I could loose my current benefits. What should I do? Is there an attorney that can help me with my situation and if so, what type of attorney?
Angela R.
Sounds like they reviewed yr medical records & don’t think yrs disabled anymore. If his amount is higher you could. Just remember you could lose SSI & Medicaid at the same time. You’d not get Medicare for 2 yrs after they consider you disabled. Only if yr above 50 can you use yr widow benefits under disabled. Otherwise you have to wait until 60.
A.C.
Hi. We are sorry to hear about your situation. If you disagree with a decision, you can file an appeal. There are four levels in the appeals process. A reconsideration is the first level. Typically, the length of time it takes to receive a decision on your reconsideration is about 60 days but the amount of time could vary from case-to-case. We reevaluate all evidence, plus any additional evidence submitted and make a new decision. If you disagree with the reconsidered decision, you can choose to go to the next level of the appeals process. 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.