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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Jeff c.
What if you’re at FRA and collecting Social Security and your spouse passes away? Do you still collect anything from her Social Security?
Donna W.
This happened to me. When I tried to call the phone number above, I was on hold for 3 1/2 hours & then hung up. No one ever came to the phone. I called the next day in the morning this time I was still on the phone waiting for them to answer (2 hrs). Our time is precious too, There should be more phone numbers to take the influx of calls only to have to make a phone appointment one and 1/2 months out.
– My 86 yr old mother is moving. We don’t want her on the internet. Keeps her from being scammed. She is slowly losing her memory. Why can’t there be a form to complete to mail in for her mailing address change. You are very helpful when you finally get a voice. There should be more offices to go to get things resolved.
M.azam
My wife passed am l eligible for the benefits even it’s almost 2 years ago
Jean G.
My spouse retired 1 month prior to full retirement age and started collecting Social Security. The amount of Social Security that I am collecting is greater than the amount he receives. If I pass away before my spouse, what percentage of my benefit will be available for my spouse?
Candido I.
Que esplendido son ustedes $255.00 eso no alcanza ni para ponerle una corona al muerto, no sean ridículos no den nada
Gilbert G.
Thank You for the information, it is important
for this old gentleman to know this.
You are doing a great job
Marlene E.
Hello, I have been to the office 3 times to apply, I mailed in an application with all of the paper work, I have contacted my state representative 4 times about my claim, my husband passed away 8 months ago, I do not know what else I can do to get this processed! Please tell me.
I can not call as I have no voice due to cancer.
Warren B.
Some statements in your Blog are NOT CLEAR, e.g. You use the word “MAY RECEIVE” which is meaningless. Explain 71% vs. 100% of your spouse’s benefit. So if my retired benefit was $1,500/month and my Spouse benefit that died was $2,500/month, would my total benefit be $4,000?, assuming I was at Full Retirement Age of 67?
My relative gets 50% of her spouse’s benefit PLUS her existing benefit. This means you have changed the rules of the game in the middle of the game. (I Need an answer)
Laurie S.
Can you make this Shareable? You state at the end to share this on social media. But the only way to do that is to copy & paste the link at the top. It would be more useful if you had it shareable to the various social medias: in particular: WhatsApp and Instagram and FaceBook (there are others, but those are the main ones), as well as email.
Catherine H.
Mild retardation need help figuring out my SSI