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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ANGELA T.
How can you put a age limit on a survivor benefit when someone’s been married over 20 years over 10 years and the first one has stayed home and took care of the disabled person all that time didn’t have a job he dies and she’s left in the cold because she’s not 60 years old
Dildre H.
A friend mom passed away this month she wanted to know what to do called but was line over 30 minutes but wanted to let you all know of her passing thanks
Christina K.
My husband passed a year ago, my daughter has been receiving survivors benifits but she turns graduated early & turns 18 in April. She is going to college can she still receive benifits? We were married just short of 30yrs & he was older than me. I turn 50 in October can I apply for widows benifits?
cassie
my friend receives ss and his dad passed and received one time lump payment from his insurance from his pension.
how will this affect his ss even if this was a one time payment and wont receive another payment.
and will he have to file taxes
mary
I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and had to go out on permanent disability in 2016 I am now 62 and collecting my Social Security. My husband was also disabled and unfortunately passed away this past April so I have now lost his Social Security check and with a mortgage will be unable to pay my bills is there anyway that I can collect on His check also is that wihat survivors benefits ,are ? my check is bigger than his. Is there anyway I can collect any other type of money to make my bills thank you
Jannette C.
My adopted mom, and dad past away. And both my biological mother and father past can I get any benefits
Ann C.
Hi, Janette. We are sorry to hear about your losses. Only eligible family members may be able to receive monthly survivor benefits. For more information on this, check out our publication, How Social Security Can Help You When a Family Member Dies. We hope this helps.
William B.
My wife passed when she was 53 and myself 55. Feb. 2018 My youngest child was a freshmen in college. Will I ever be able to receive her social security benefits.Are my receiving any of her benefits effected on weather i am working or not.
Jackie U.
If a spouse commits suicide, does that affect the survivor benefits?
Glenda D.
My spouse and I both receive social security. My husband passed away Jan 2 and his deposit has been returned. His monthly payment was significantly more. Will I receive the difference and will this happen aurtomatically or is there something that needs to be done?
Ann C.
Hi, Glenda. We are sorry to hear about your loss. The amount of your widow’s benefit is based on several factors, including: the earnings of your husband, when he started receiving his benefits, your age, and the amount of your own retirement benefit. We compare your own benefit with your potential survivor benefit. If your survivor benefit would be higher than your own current retirement benefit, you would be eligible for survivor benefits. To learn how much you could be eligible for, please call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). Generally, you will have a shorter wait time if you call later in the day. At this time, we do not offer an online application for survivors benefits. You can also learn more information about Survivors benefits here. We hope this helps.
Sheila B.
I will be 60 years old this year, my husband passed away in 2004. How many months in advance should I apply for his social security benefits before my 60th birthday?
Thank you in advance
Ann C.
Hi, Sheila. You can file an application up to 4 months in advance. When you get ready to file, you can schedule an appointment with your local office by calling us at 1-800-772-1213 between 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday and a representative will assist you. We hope this helps.