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. Vera H.

    Can I stop my claim for survivor benefits?

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Vera. 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 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. We hope this helps.

  2. James B.

    My spouse died on 10/11/2019 he has money in social security we were married same sex marriage . Can I apply for his benefit I an not going to apply for my SS until I m at my age of 66 and 2 months. Another 2 years .

    If I can’t apply what happens to his money that is in SS.

    Thanks

    • Luis A.

      Hi James. We are sorry to hear about your loss. You may be eligible to receive surviving spouses’ benefits, and then switch to your own benefits, if you meet certain requirements. For information about survivors benefits, visit our Survivor Planner: If You Are The Survivor. However, please note that for your security, we do not have access to your personal information in this forum. In your situation, please call our toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), from Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. You may also contact the local Social Security office. We hope this helps.

    • Luis A.

      Hi James. We are sorry to hear about the passing of your partner. We recognize same same-sex couples’ marriages in all states, and some non-marital legal relationships (such as some civil unions and domestic partnerships), for purposes of determining entitlement to Social Security benefits, Medicare entitlement, and eligibility and payment amount for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). For more information please take a look at our webpage for same-sex couples. For specific questions, please contact us by calling 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday, between 7:00 A.M. and 7:00 P.M., or contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.

  3. Annette A.

    As a widow I understand I can claim my husbands social security check if it is more than my social security check. Is that correct? If so how do I go about it?

    • Luis A.

      Hi Annette. We are sorry to hear about your loss. You may be eligible to receive survivors benefits, if you meet certain requirements. Please remember that we will always pay you on your own benefits first. If you are eligible to receive benefits as a surviving spouse, you will receive a combination of benefits that will equal the amount you could receive as a surviving spouse. For more information about survivors benefits, visit our Survivor Planner: If You Are The Survivor. You may also call our toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), from Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. We hope this helps.

  4. joseph t.

    My wife passed away on 11/6/19.What action do I need to do with social security?

    • Luis A.

      Hi Joseph. We are sorry for your loss. You cannot report a death online. Normally, the funeral home reports the death to Social Security. But you can report your wife’s death by calling us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. You may also report it at the local Social Security office. We hope this helps.

  5. Ruth T.

    how soon after death of spouse will survivor know when benefits will continue and the amount?

    • Luis A.

      Hi Ruth. We are sorry to hear about your loss. For your security, we do not have access to your personal Social Security information on this forum, therefore, we cannot answer your question. However, please call our toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), from Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. for assistance. For more information about survivors benefits, visit our Survivor Planner: If You Are The Survivor. You may also We hope this helps.

  6. Eldon J.

    I want to find out why I haven’t been getting my social security for my dad he died about 10 years ago and they said I wasn’t entitled to his benefits but I’ve been disabled since I was 17 or 18 years old I went to a mental hospital and after that it was just a complete disaster downhill all the way also I want to find out am I entitled to eget a loan or some way to help me move into an apartment because I don’t have enough money to move into an apartment and less I get money from social security okay thank you very much and goodbye

  7. Geraldine S.

    Want to se I can collect my dead husband social security,I have social security as well and was wondering what I can draw off his. Survivors Benefits”

    • Luis A.

      Hi Geraldine. We are sorry to hear about your loss. You may be eligible to receive survivors benefits, if you meet certain requirements. Please remember that we will always pay you on your own benefits first. If you are eligible to receive benefits as a surviving spouse, you will receive a combination of benefits that will equal the amount you could receive as a surviving spouse. For more information about survivors benefits, visit our Survivor Planner: If You Are The Survivor. You may also call our toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), from Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. We hope this helps.

  8. Edith B.

    I am a retired teacher who receive 2,100 a month. My husband died in 2009. I was told I can’t receive his social security. When my first husband died in 2000 I received half of his social security. They knew I was a retired teacher yet they paid me the money. When I married my second husband the government made me pay the money back. Thank you for any help. I can’t afford to pay your lawyer $28.00 a month.

  9. Kathleen T.

    Hello if my spouse dies and we have been on Social Security for many years will I get his benefits which are higher than mine?

    • Luis A.

      Thank you for your question Kathleen. In the event that your husband dies, and if you already receive benefits as a spouse on your his record, your benefit will automatically convert to survivors benefits after we receive the report of death. If the benefits you are currently receiving is based on your own record, then you should apply for benefits as a widow if your retirement benefits is less than the benefits you would receive as a survivor. We hope this information helps.

  10. Evelyn n.

    I am a 75 year old widow drawing benefits from my deceased husband if I should get married again will I loose my benefits.

Comments are closed.