Survivors

The Importance of Social Security Survivors Benefits

May 31, 2017 • By

Reading Time: 2 Minutes

Last Updated: November 3, 2023

elderly woman drinking coffee Most people don’t like to think about death. We plan for life, for that day when we retire, for the places we’ll go and the things that we’ll do then. Unfortunately, death is a part of life we must prepare for. The death of a worker is devastating for the entire family, not only emotionally, but also financially.  

Social Security is here to help you secure today and tomorrow with financial benefits, tools, and information to help support you throughout life’s journey. Part of that promise is protection for your family when a worker dies. Some of the Social Security taxes you pay go toward survivors benefits for your family. When an income earner dies, certain members of the family may be eligible for survivors benefits, such as widows and widowers, including divorced widows and widowers; children; and dependent parents. The amount of benefits your family receives depends on your lifetime earnings. The higher your earnings are, the higher the benefits will be. The value of your survivors benefit is probably more than the value of your individual life insurance.

You can check your Social Security Statement to see an estimate of survivors benefits we could pay your family. It also shows an estimate of your retirement and disability benefits, and provides other important information. To review your Social Security Statement online, create a personal my Social Security  account. Your my Social Security  account is secure and gives you immediate access to your earnings records, Social Security benefit estimates, and a printable Statement.

When a worker dies, we recommend that their survivors apply for benefits right away. You can apply by telephone or at any Social Security office. For more information about survivors benefits, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/survivors. If you think you qualify, please don’t wait. Apply today.

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About the Author

Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

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Comments

  1. Rhonda S.

    Hello, I know a couple who delivered their child & it had passed away. The mother was totally distraught & even would stay at the cemetery well into the evening. I was wondering if she or her boyfriend or both would be entitled to benefits.

    • L.A.

      Hi, Rhonda. We are very sorry to hear about this couple’s loss. Unfortunately, there are no benefits payable under the child’s record. Benefits may only be payable on the record of someone who worked and contributed to the Social Security program. For more information about death benefits, check out our publication, How Social Security Can Help You When a Family Member Dies. We hope this helps.

  2. Mark W.

    Hello my names mark watson and ive been trying to find out the truth about my back pay for 7months now.but ive been told i havent calked .or ive been told that its coming in 5days call back if its not here by the 11th of march .i need a bank acct ..its back in rewiew for the fourth time all i want is the truth my whole lifrs start is depending on thos since i recently lost my wife and kids and am living in a garage .it woukd be nice to hear the truth from an electedofficial for once.

    • A.C.

      Hi, Mark. We are sorry to hear about your situation. Unfortunately, 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 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. Generally, you will have a shorter wait if you call later in the day. You can also contact your local Social Security office. You can ask to speak to a supervisor on your next visit or call. We hope this is resolved soon.

  3. Larry &.

    I am having difficulties in being paid the 255.$ death benefit .my wife passed in January 2019. I received a notice of award dated Feb.09.2019 stating said benefits would be paid on or before Feb.15. 2019. Today is March.19.2019 and said benefit has not been paid as of today…please can we clear this matter a.s.a.p

    • A.C.

      Hi, Larry. We are sorry to hear about your loss. Unfortunately, but 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. Please contact your local Social Security office. You can ask for a supervisor on your next visit or call. We hope this is resolved soon.

  4. Lynda S.

    I have tried over and over to get through on the main #. Every time hold times are over an hour. Called my local office and got an appoint. Survivor benifits. Told 30 days or less. Come and gone. Called again told 7-10 business days it would be in my bank. Come and gone, I cant get any straight answers. i check my ss account to check status. same old thing processing,processing processing. I have no income, no family just me. I am actively looking for employment Reading some of the comments here, makes 100 times more nervous. That i will be without a place to live,my landlord needs cash not a letter that proves have applied, I get the feeling I am getting the run around, I am at a loss and very friightened

  5. HAZEL F.

    My Mother passed away on Feb. 21, 2019 and had no burial insurance and I had to pay for the cremation & funeral. She was on social security, and I was inquiring if there is any allowance to help with her final expenses. I have heard that their may be something.

  6. Rod D.

    If I die before my wife and she is drawing social security off of mine will she continue to draw the same amount as we do while I am still alive?

    • A.C.

      Hi, Rod. Good question! The amount of your widow’s benefit is based on several factors, including: your husband’s earnings, when your husband started receiving his benefits, your age at the time of your husband’s death, and the amount of your own retirement benefit. We compare your own benefit with your husband’s benefit. If your survivor benefit would be higher than your own current retirement benefit at the time of your husband’s passing, you would be eligible for widow’s benefits.

      Typically, a widow at full (survivors) retirement age or older generally receives 100 percent of the deceased worker’s amount, a widow under full retirement age receives about 71 to 99 percent of the worker’s benefit amount, and a widow with a child younger than age 16 receives 75 percent of the worker’s benefit amount. For more information on widow’s benefits, please visit our Benefits Planner: If You Are The Survivor web page. We hope this helps!

  7. Sylvia R.

    I have a general question – If a wife passes away at the age of 60 years old, she was not eligible for social security benefits, is a husband eligible for her social security benefits. Thank you!

    • V.V.

      Hi Sylvia, thanks for using our blog. The survivor amount would be based on her earnings. The more she paid into Social Security, the higher his benefit will be. If she was receiving benefits when she passed away, survivors benefits are based on that amount. The percentage of that amount that he could receive depends on how old he is when he files as a widower. We are only going to pay the highest benefit amount from either record, meaning he doesn’t get both retirement and widow(er)s benefits but the higher of the two.

      Widowers benefit are payable as early as age 60 (for a reduced benefit) or a full widowers benefit at full retirement age or older.

      Use our Survivors Planner to look at how the family members is protected.

  8. Gloria B.

    My granddaughter is 16 and her brother is 19. He no longer receives survivor bebefits. Isnt’ my granddaughter supposed receive more suvivor benefits?

    • V.V.

      Hi Gloria, thank you for your question. The survivor benefit amount for a child under age 18 (19 if still in elementary or secondary school) or disabled is 75 percent of the deceased benefit benefit. So, if both children are already receiving 75 percent, nothing changes when one goes off the record.

  9. Donna J.

    Can I receive Survivors Benefits from my first husband that died in 2005 but I got remarried in 2010.

    • V.V.

      Hi Donna, thank you for the question. Widows that remarry after age 60 (age 50 if disabled), may continue to qualify for benefits on their deceased spouse’s Social Security record. If your new spouse is a Social Security beneficiary, you may want to apply for spouse’s benefits on that record. If that amount is higher, you may be entitled to the higher amount, based on both records. Generally, you must be married for one year before you can get spouse’s benefits.

      Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions web page to see how marriage can affect Social Security benefits.

      For additional information, visit our Survivors Planner.

  10. Tom

    The normal social security benefit is deposited for us on the 3rd Wednesday of each month but has no been deposited today. What is the reason why??

Comments are closed.