Social Security Benefits, Survivors

What You Should Know About Social Security if Your Spouse Passes Away

May 29, 2025 • By

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Last 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:

  1. 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.
  1. 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.
  2. 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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Social Security Administration

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Comments

  1. Fran

    I get SS benefits and Pension, I am 78 and want to marry an 87 widower of 2yrs. He is a Veteran and a retired pastor. Will I lose my SS, or is there a disadvantage in marrying?

  2. Darlene A.

    Because the robot can’t recognize me I can’t set up an account.
    By return email can you email me a form to apply for changing from my SS monthly benefit to MY HUSBAND’S SS monthly benefit?

  3. Darlene W.

    I am trying to find a form to apply for my deceased husband’s SS instead of mine.
    Is there a form? Name of form? location online?

    • Darlene W.

      Can you send me a link to the form for applying for survivor benefits? I can’t set up an online account because robot doesn’t recognize me.

  4. Melanie J.

    I’m getting survivors benefits. But thinking about getting married. I have to not make over 22,400. If I marry someone who is 67 still working and drawing S.S. How much will I make of S.S.A. and how much can I make working?

  5. Jhon

    Understanding your spouse’s pension entitlements is crucial, especially during challenging times. The Social Security Administration provides detailed guidance on eligibility and application processes. For instance, a surviving spouse can begin receiving benefits as early as age 60, or 50 if disabled. However, remarriage before age 60 can affect eligibility. It’s essential to consult the SSA to determine the best course of action.

  6. Debora G.

    All of my and my deceased husband’s legal papers of our births and his death certificate gave be n stolen from my home I fear someone may try to steal our identites our marriage license is s also be n stolen I’ve reported it the police my heart is literally broken that our marriage license is gone more than anything

    • Terry B.

      YOU CAN ORDER ANOTHER COPY OF EACH (marriage and death certificate) ONLINE from the County (or Parish, if in Louisiana) in which you were married AND in which he was pronounced dead, respectively.

  7. Lynne M.

    I’m on Survivors SSI (my ex-spouse died) I was automatically able to collect his social. been collecting for years now each year it went up. but when I been struggling to get ahead and pay my rent on time I was forced to get a second job. well did that ever back fire! I received a letter this summer stating that they(Social Security) made a mistake and over paid me last year and that I would need to pay them back of several months! wow there. what??? yes exactly! Even though I had been continueing to report my income and to make sure I wasn’t over the amount allotted I was reassured by our local office as I visited in person that I was good and not to worry that I would have to be making a lot more for that to happen. Well he was wrong and others reported the same! my mistake was not writing down my visits and time and name of person giving me the info. make sure you take your notes! very important! now since I relied on the SSI as my main check to pay my rent I’m struggling to pay it! I cannot on my own!

  8. Jackie M.

    Wow i really hope it’s better on your end because I’m 54 years old and I’m applying for my dead husband social security once again but to remind you I have a disability. so now I’m and praying they see I’m already getting disability money praying they don’t send me back to there doctor because everyone knows the outcome you will be denied

    • sheree b.

      I dont understand . Why would you be denied

  9. Vicky L.

    I am getting my survivors benefits and have been since April if this year after fighting for it for over a year because he secretly married somebody else while married to me. Yes a double life. Anyway, after spending all this money proving I was legally his wife my back pay gets put on hold to check if I got any SSI while I waited which I didn’t and my field office told pay center I did not. Well approved in March 2025 here it is mid August 2025 still no back pay,it’s still at payment center where it hàs been for a few months and here I am still waiting. I did get a letting from them last month that they were releasing it and it would co.e out with my next check. Well it did not and they say it’s still at payment center being worked on because my case is complicated..and each time I call social security I get a completely different story. I can call 1 minute hang up and call right back and get a new person and they will tell me something totally different. Guess it’s a damn waiting game. But when they want their money they snatch that stuff up now. When they owe it, they take their sweet damn time

  10. Shari L.

    I was put on disability about 4 years ago. My husband was my supporter but he passed away 2 years ago in an automobile accident. Does the amount of my disability increase?

    • Sheree B.

      You have to call or try to apply for survivors benefits and they will let you know. Usually if you two were married for atleast 10 years and if his benefits is higher than what you’re receiving now, than yes you may see an increase

Comments are closed.