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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Tina
Social Security has had my original divorce papers for about one year. I called months ago, and still have not received the document.
Deb H.
I have been on disability since the age of 56, does my husband qualify to draw on my Social Security through the Fairness Act if he worked at the Postal Service under CSRS?
Debby B.
Thanks for the rewriting you made it shorter, less confusing and written like you know we are adults. I was always so confused by all the extra explaining thank for using the KISS principle well done!
Mike S.
I am on ssdi and collect widow survivor benefits. When my ssdi converts to ss at FRA will I still also get my widow survivor benefits and the converted ssdi to ss or just the higher amount?
Deb
I find this all very confusing! My Mom and My Step-Mom both “automatically” started receiving my Dad’s SS after his death. There was no additional requirements (or “Applications”) for them to receive his benefits.
Has something changed?
Colleen
It said you may be eligible to collect on your spouse social security if he has not died yet? Is that true? I thought he had to die in order to collect on his social security. His is much more than mine.
marriednow
I think Spousal benefit is equal to half of what your spouse’s benefit is.
I think Survivor is equal to the full benefit of what the deceased spouse’s benefit was.
Patricia V.
I do not see my posted comments right away. Are they always up for reviews? Then that means some represrntative sees them, but no one ever posts and advises our readers’ sometimes desperate questions!
Loretta C.
My husband passed away 8 1/2 months after we were married. We were together for 35 years prior to being married and had a grandchild living with us during the school year. Am I eligible for survivor benefits and is our grandchild eligible also? We did not have legal custody.
Doesn’t M.
Your grandchild is most likely not eligible for benefits if you don’t have legal custody of him or her.
Alexandre
Thank you for sharing this important information. Many people are unaware of the survivor benefits available after the loss of a spouse, especially during such a difficult and emotional time. It’s reassuring to know that there are options and guidance available. I hope this post reaches those who need it most.
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John P.
one piece of information seems completely wrong! You state: “The longer you wait to apply – up until your full retirement age – the higher your monthly benefit amount will be.”
This is sometimes true. However, if the deceased collected SSA Retirement before their full retirement age, their retirement was reduced. And the surviving spouse can be limited to that reduced amount. So, waiting until FRA can result in lost benefits.
You should be more thorough with your fact checking and public messaging.
Very disappointing.