Understanding Social Security Survivors Benefits
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: September 19, 2019
Unfortunately, tragedy can strike without any warning. The loss of the family wage earner can be devastating both emotionally and financially. Social Security helps by providing income for the families of workers who die.
Some of the Social Security taxes you pay go toward survivors benefits for workers and their families. The value of the survivors benefits you have under Social Security may even be more than the value of your individual life insurance. When you die, certain members of your family may be eligible for survivors benefits. These include widows and widowers (and divorced widows and widowers), children, and dependent parents.
Here are the people who can get survivors benefits based on your work:
- Your widow or widower may be able to get full benefits at full retirement age. The full retirement age for survivors is age 66 for people born in 1945-1956, with the full retirement age gradually increasing to age 67 for people born in 1962 or later. Your widow or widower can get reduced benefits as early as age 60. If your surviving spouse is disabled, benefits can begin as early as age 50.
- Your widow or widower can get benefits at any age if they take care of your child younger than age 16 or disabled, who is receiving Social Security benefits.
- Your unmarried children, younger than age 18 (or up to age 19 if they’re attending elementary or secondary school full time), can also get benefits. Your children can get benefits at any age if they were disabled before age 22. Under certain circumstances, we can also pay benefits to your stepchildren, grandchildren, step-grandchildren, or adopted children.
- Your dependent parents can get benefits if they’re age 62 or older. (For your parents to qualify as dependents, you must have provided at least half of their support.)
You can read more our publication Survivors Benefits for more information.
How much your family can get from Social Security depends on your average lifetime earnings. The more you earned, the more their benefits will be. For more information on widows, widowers, and other survivors, visit our webpage.
Social Security is with you through life’s journey. Be sure to tell friends and family about our Survivors Benefits and how we can help in times of need.
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About the Author
Mike Korbey, Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Mike Korbey, Deputy Commissioner for Communications
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WPS
Does one have to be legally married before initially applying for SS benefits for the surviving spouse to take over benefits? Currently in a long term (over 30 years) “common law” situation. Thank you
V.V.
Hi WPS. In cases where a common-law marriage is involved, Social Security follows the state laws. So, check the laws in your state. For more information on survivor benefits, please visit our Survivor Planner. We hope this helps!
Lynn
My niece’s husband just passed away on 7/3/2020 and she is only 59 until 2/2/2021 my nephew was receiving social security disability – Would she be eligible for survivor benefits?
V.V.
We are very sorry for your loss, Lynn. If her husband worked long enough under Social Security, there may be benefits payable to her. She may be eligible for reduced widows benefits as early as age 60 (age 50 if disabled) and at any age if caring for the deceased’s child who is under age 16 or disabled and receiving benefits on the deceased’s record. Survivor benefit amounts are based on her husband’s earnings. The more he paid into Social Security, the higher the benefits would be.
Check out our publication “How Social Security Can Help You When a Family Member Dies” for additional information. To apply for benefits, she needs to call us at 1-800-772-1213 or she can contact her local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
tom
my elderly father has passed, leaving my elderly mother. They both currently receive SSI retirement benefits that are auto-deposited and medicare is auto deducted.
1. what happens to my father’s future benefits? meaning does mom still receive a portion of dad’s benefit or does the payment stop completely?
2. do I have to file something with SSAdmin. regarding his death?
V.V.
Hi Tom, we are very sorry for your loss. Typically, the funeral director notifies us of an individual’s passing by contacting the local Social Security office. To verify this information was reported and to inquire on potential benefits for your mother, call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
See our Factsheet on How Social Security Can Help When a Family Member Dies.
Sheila R.
My local SS office just told me that, because my birthday is after Jan 2, 1954, I am not eligible for a Survivor’s Benefit based on my late husband’s SS record. I was told, after he passed in early 2017, that if I waited until my full retirement age, I could receive a Survivor’s Benefit without penalty. What changed?
V.V.
Hi Sheila, thanks for using our blog. Because your birthday is after January 2, 1954, deemed filing applies to you which means you are required to file for both retirement and spouse’s benefits if eligible. However, deemed filing does not apply to survivor benefits. If you are currently receiving retirement benefits, and are eligible for widow’s benefits, you can choose to apply for the widow’s benefit at any time, up to your full retirement age for the full amount.
To apply for the widow’s benefit, please call us at 1-800-772-1213 or you can contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
Naky
I am 65 and retired two years ago. I have been receiving my deceased spouse benefits since age 60.5. Is there anyway to determine on MySocialSecurity what my own full retirement benefit amount would be at age 66 and 2 months? Can I receive both now? If not, where can I find my current and future benefit amounts to determine if I should let it stay until 70 or not? Thanks for your assistance.
Karen K.
After determining what the monthly survivor’s benefit will be, how long does it take for the additional amount to be disbursed after I’ve received my monthly benefit?
Teri S.
Hi. I’m a 65 year old widow. My husband’s estate may finally be settled in August so I may be getting my spousal award.
If the spousal award is over 17K, do I only get one dollar for every two dollars I’m awarded?
Does a spousal award count as earnings? Income? Is it taxable when I file for the IRS?
I have a son with special needs. Can I get it put straight in to his Special Needs trust and not be taxed?
So many questions.
Thank you and stay safe and healthy.
Thanks for any help or advice I can get from you.
V.V.
We are very sorry for your loss, Teri. Social Security widow’s benefit are payable as early as age 60 (for a reduced benefit) or a full widows benefit at full retirement age or older. Use our Survivors Planner for additional details.
If you need to apply for widow’s benefits, please call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
Jacqueline B.
My husband passed away in 2002, I didn’t know that I was entitled to death benefits, is it too late to receive it. I would like to file for his social security benefits how do I do that?
V.V.
Hi Jacqueline, thanks for using our blog. Typically, a widow or widower at full (survivors) retirement age or older generally receives 100% of the deceased worker’s amount, a widow or widower under full retirement age receives about 71 to 99 percent of the worker’s benefit amount, and a widow or widower with a child younger than age 16 receives 75 percent of the worker’s benefit amount.
For more information about how much your benefit would be, visit our Survivors Planner.
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Terrie M.
Claim for Lump Sum Death Benefit SHOULD have been reported by the funeral home in March 2020 but apparently was not. I filed the claim 5/6/20. It is now 6/17/20 and it is still processing. How long does it take to verify someone is dead?
V.V.
We are very sorry for your loss, Terrie. 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 for assistance or you can contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.