What You Should Know About Social Security if Your Spouse Passes Away
Reading Time: 3 MinutesLast Updated: May 29, 2025
The death of a spouse is among the most stressful life events. Losing a spouse can be devastating both emotionally and financially. You can depend on us during this difficult time.
Can I get surviving spouse benefits?
When your spouse passes away, you may be able to get benefits as a surviving spouse – even if you’re divorced. Eligibility depends on several factors:
- Age – You may be eligible for survivor benefits:
- If you are age 60 or older.
- As early as age 50, if you have a disability and are unable to work.
- At any age if you’re caring for your deceased spouse’s child who is younger than 16 or who developed a disability before age 22. Note: Children (including stepchildren, grandchildren, step-grandchildren, and adopted children) may be eligible for survivor benefits, too.
- Employment – You may be able to work and get survivor benefits. It depends on your age and how much you’re earning. If you’re younger than full retirement age, you’re subject to an earnings limit. To learn more about working and getting benefits, read this blog article.
- Benefit status – If you already receive retirement or disability benefits on your own work record, you may be due survivor benefits if they’re greater than your own. You won’t receive both – you’ll get the higher amount.
How much will I get as a surviving spouse?
Social Security benefits are based on a worker’s lifetime earnings. As a surviving spouse, you may receive between 71.5% and 100% of your deceased spouse’s benefit. The longer you wait to apply – up until your full retirement age – the higher your monthly benefit amount will be.
When should I apply for survivor benefits?
When your spouse dies, we recommend you call us right away at 1-800-772-1213 about our $255 lump sum death payment. You’ll also want to discuss monthly benefits for you and your family.
You have options. You may be able to get benefits as a surviving spouse while delaying your own retirement benefit, if it’s higher. Or, you may want to receive a reduced retirement benefit, then wait until later to apply for a higher survivor benefit.
Please contact us to speak with a representative so you can decide what’s best for you.
How do I apply for survivor benefits?
You must make an appointment by calling us at 1-800-772-1213.
If you already receive spouse benefits, you will automatically be converted to surviving spouse benefits. No application is needed. However, you should contact us to apply for the one-time only $255 lump sum.
You cannot apply for survivor benefits online.
What if I’m divorced?
You may be able to get benefits as a surviving divorced spouse if you were married at least 10 years, even if your spouse had remarried. You must be at least age 60, or 50 if you’re disabled, and you must be single – unless your remarriage occurred after age 60. Note: We may be able to pay divorced spouse benefits while your former spouse is living.
For more information, check out our Survivors Benefits publication and our Survivor benefits page. Please call us if you have questions or to schedule an appointment for yourself or a child.
Please share this important information with your loved ones and other surviving spouses – and post on social media.
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Tags: Social Security benefits, survivors benefits
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Kathy L.
I was married for 21 years divorced him got married for 5 months can I still get benefits
Debra
I just found out I can request my spousal social security benefits? He passed in 2020 weeks were married 17 years or at least 10 years on record? Married when my son was six years old, if not younger divorced when he was 17 years old. I just found out he passed away five years ago. I found out eight months ago so I’m getting my marriage license and my divorce documents to prove that we were together married so I can apply for spousal benefits from Social Security I’m 67 and I’m sure I’m only gonna get half of his benefits. I’ve been single now for 20 years if not longer certainly was not remarried in my 60s. I’ve been single so would I still be eligible to get his Social Security benefits? Im getting marriage license and divorce documents for social security? Proof of us being together? The family would not give me his depth certificate. They said they would give me a copy but never did and now they’re ignoring my phone calls and voice messages? Thanks Debra
Tracy
Hi u can get your husband’s death certificate from city hall just bring date he passed or hospital records you can collect when u are 60 and get reduced until you reach your retirement age and who ever is higher between the 2 of you you can switch later on hope this helps
Nora J.
My husband passed away on DECEMBER 12 of 2018 I didn’t know that I COULD RECEIVE hi Social Security checks I JUST CAME aware of it just this month Can I STILL get his social security checks .T Hank you Nora June FRASIER
Tracy
Only at age 60 and didn’t remarry before 60 50 to 59 if u or your child if any have a disability
Nicole Y.
Does Adhd fir chikd abd add, anxiety,for me anI am 55 and disability is physchological will me and my 17 yr old child qualify f I r start from my deceased husband we are married 15 yrs
Beverly
My husband pass away and have 2 kids i agree to have my kids with grandpa and grandma temporarily until I get my situation back im send in 20% of the money to my kids he left me lot debt I just pay off and still paying my morgate with the money grandpa want to claim there money .
What do I do on this situation should I keep continuing getting my kids social security? I’m fighting my kids back becouse they make me sign legal guardianship permanently I was not aware of how much will be problem now . Please any advise.
They said I need to give the money to them.
When they said no worries I will take care of them pay you debts and get your life back.
Ava C.
If your husband’s debt was in his name only, you’re not responsible for it. Even though you were married. You’re only responsible for debt that was in both your names or your name only.
As far as the social security money, if you signed over legal guardianship to them, you may be screwed on that. I’d call an attorney. Most offer a free 30 minute consultation. Hopefully the debt was just in your husband’s name, which means you’re not responsible for it & you’ll be able to get your kids back. Good luck to you!
AI P.
This info’s solid, but don’t forget to check your eligibility early. Oh, and if you wanna know more about AI stuff, there’s a neat little test you might find interesting. Just saying, https://aipuritytest.app/.
Robin R.
I have been a widow almost 13 years and have a question. Why do only living spouses get each others social security based on the lower spouses? Why does this not apply to us widows who only receive one benefit? Just seems backwards to me, since couples get 2 benefits and we are penalized for our spouse dying? Please advise, Thanks so much, Robin
Christine R.
I will be 60 next year. I live in the UK.
My late husband and I lived and worked in the USA for almost 10 years. We returned home to the uk and shortly after this he tragically died in 2021. I contacted the SSA and
I did receive the one off payment of $255 at the time of his death. I am hoping once I’m 60 I will be able to apply/claim for survivors SSA.
Tracy
Hi you absolutely can im about to do this next year I will be 60 as long as you did not remarry before 60 you are eligible I also got that 1 payment of 255 as well but do have a qualified child who was eligible for survivor benefits as well but they stop once they turn 16 if they dont have a disability
Marcia B.
My spouse died September 1, 2025, how can I draw his monthly benefit instead of mine which is less?
Samantha
Apply for survivor benefits to your local SSA office or call them.
Karen W.
I was married 1992-2011. He passed away in 2012. Now 60, I’ve applied and will receive his SSN benefits. What will happen to those benefits if I get married, either now or in the future?
Best
Amanda S.
What if I was married to my deceased ex husband for 9 years 11 months. Will I get anything and what I have kids that have his last name but never adopted
Samantha
Sorry, but no, you cannot receive benefits of your ex husband unless you were marrIed 10 years or more. My mother and father divorced and were married for nine years and 10 months. She as well was denied under the 10 year rule.
If your children were not the biological children of your ex-husband, even though they carried his name, and we’re not legally adopted by him, they as well cannot receive his benefits.
Rebecca F.
If you were divorced & was married to your x for 9 years & 11 months, you fail to meet the 10 year period of marriage required by SS to collect divorced spousal benefits.
Tracy
Hi check with the social security office I was just 5 days shy of 10 years married when my husband died and I was able to get survivor benefits and so did my son he was 11 and bout to collect his social security at 60 so just do your research the ssi site will tell u everything u need to know hope this helps
Connie
I was married to my 1st husband for 17 years, then divorced. I got married again at the age of 41 then divorced a second time at 47. If 1st husband dies, will I be able to get his social security?
Rebecca F.
Absolutely!