The Importance of Social Security Survivors Benefits
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: November 3, 2023
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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Tags: my Social Security, my Social Security account, retirement benefits, social security, Social Security benefits, Social Security statement, Social Security taxes, survivors benefits
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Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
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Christine C.
My mother passed away Sept. 12, 2017 at that time she had not received her August social security check. I reported her death to S.S. right away and was told I could receive her August check if I filled out some forms and submitted my birth certificate and her death certificate. I did all of the above and it’s going to be a year next month and I have not heard one word about it. I was told it may take up to six months but I’ve since read articles that many people never get their loved ones final check even if they follow all the steps correctly. It’s very discouraging.
V.V.
Hi Christine: We are very sorry for your loss and understand your frustration. For your security, we do not have access to your information in this venue. We encourage you to contact your local Social Security office. If you are unable to connect with your local office, you may call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available to help you Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Wess
My sympathies, Christine, but a warning for you. MAKE SURE about everything. My father was killed when I was a sophomore in high school and I received SSI checks. After his death, the next check I received, I sent back. 42 years later, YES, FOURTY TWO YEARS LATER, they came after me and said I owed them a lousy $350.00 dollars from an “overpayment” of my father’s benefits checks to me. They actually asked me if I had records…FROM 42 YEARS AGO?
They took it from my tax return. I called my congressman…he could not have cared less.
I paid taxes…they knew where I lived…
Disgusting. And treated like a moocher when, in reality, our parents paid into the system all their life. I absconded with nothing. The way I see it, they absconded from me. So be careful about back end checks. Doesn’t seem like a lot of money but it brought back a tremendous amount of anger and frustration.
Patti
My husband passed away 18 years ago and I receive his social security benefits. If I should remarry, do I have to go on my own social security benefits, or can I continue to receive his? I am 78 years old, and took early benefits at the age of 62.
Thank you.
V.V.
Hi Patti, 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. We hope this helps!
katherine H.
i draw widows pension off my husband which was 100 disable is there any thing else i am eligible for?
R.F.
Hello Katherine. Unfortunately, and because of security reasons we do not have access to personal records in this blog and cannot answer your question at this time. One of our representatives should be able to assist you. Please call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Generally, you will have a shorter wait time if you call later during the day or later in the week. Thanks!
Caralee B.
Hello. I was born in 1958. My husband was born in 1939. We have both worked and qualify for social security benefits. My husband has been the higher earner and waited until age 70 to file for social security in order to maximize my survivor benefits. If I file for my own benefits at age 62 I understand that those benefits will be reduced because I will be less than my full retirement age (66 years and eight months). I also understand that if I file at age 62 for my own benefits that I will be deemed to also be filing for spousal benefits at that time. Question #1: If I file at age 62 on my own record and the benefit I receive from that is higher than what I would receive as a spousal benefit, how would my survivor benefit be affected if my husband dies after I file at age 62 on my own record? Question #2: If I file at age 62 on my own record and the benefit I receive from that is not higher than what I would receive as a spousal benefit (resulting in a spousal top up), how would my survivor benefit be affected if my husband dies after I file at age 62 on my own record and receive a spousal top up? Thank you for your help.
NITA S.
Hello Jim. My husband passed away last month. I want to ask you how much of his SS Benefit will I be able to collect. I also have SS, much smaller than his.
Thank you for your reply.
matthew j.
I am 36 years old. if I become disabled can I collect from my Fathers ss account.
R.F.
Hello Matthew. An “adult-child” with a disability age 18 or older may get Social Security benefits when a parent gets retirement or disability benefits. The child may also get benefits if a parent dies. The child’s disability must have begun before age 22. Thanks!
Tracy N.
My brother Richard Nickels, died may 23rd. His check was direct deposited in June it’s still on hold in my checking account. I asked the local office why? The woman got all snotty, Asked Why do I want to know, 2 and a half months is a bit long? She got rude and hung up. When will it be taken out? I’m on SSI 750.00. It’s like they are dangling that money daring me to do something stupid! I was his payee! I had to move out of the apt we lived in for 5 years. Could not pay the rent 930.00. What is up with this?
R.F.
We are sorry for your loss, Tracy. To be eligible for a Social Security benefit payment, a person has to live throughout the entire month. If the deceased was receiving Social Security benefits, you must return the benefit received for the month of death or any later months. Keep in mind that Social Security benefits are paid the month after they are due. For example, if the person dies in May, you must return the benefit paid in June.
Generally, the bank will return the payments to SSA after they receive notification of the person’s death. Please speak to a bank representative to be sure. Thanks!
Ann L.
what age can you apply as a widow under your husband’s benefits
Linda D.
I have just started receiving survivor benefits. My husband died March 12, 2018. I am 67 years old. My retirement age was 66. I still work full time and I would like to continue working past age 70. Will I still receive my full survivor benefits or will they be reduced at that time.
R.F.
We are sorry for your loss, Linda. In many cases, a widow or a surviving divorced spouse can restrict the scope of their application and start receiving their survivor’s benefits, while delaying their own retirement benefit and earn delayed retirement credits. The rules are complicated and vary depending on the situation. We recommend that you contact your local office or call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Generally, you will experience a shorter wait time if you call later during the day or later in the week. Thanks!
Linda K.
Hi– Have heard that in the state of Illinois–that a new law was passed that will not allow a widow to draw her dead husbands benefit instead of her own—been searching for an answer but ended up here–hope you can answer for me !! Thanks for reading and any answers you can give me.
R.F.
Hello Linda. Your Social Security benefits are federal administered programs. In many cases, a widow or surviving divorced spouse can restrict the scope of their application and start receiving their survivor’s benefits, while delaying their own retirement benefit and earn delayed retirement credits.
The rules are complicated and vary depending on the situation. We recommend that you contact your local office or call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Thanks!