When Can a Widow Collect Her Husband’s Social Security Benefits?

The loss of a spouse ranks among life’s most challenging experiences, bringing both emotional and financial hardships. When your spouse dies, do you get their Social Security? For many widows, the survivor benefits from Social Security can serve as a vital support system during such a difficult period.

According to the Social Security Administration, 12.9 million women aged 62 or older, which accounts for 59%, received at least part of their benefits as spouses or widows of entitled workers.

During this time of profound loss, many widows and widowers face the added stress of adjusting to a single income. The Social Security Administration reports that 25 percent of older people are widowed, yet they comprise 37 percent of the elderly poor.

Financial assistance can serve as a critical source of relief during economic hardship. These benefits help provide ongoing income and offer crucial life insurance to ease the burden during a difficult period. 

Understanding and accessing these benefits can offer widows and widowers the support they need to navigate the financial challenges ahead and rebuild their financial stability.

Eligibility Criteria for Social Security Survivor Benefits

Who qualifies for survivor benefits? To qualify for as a widow, you must meet certain criteria. The eligibility requirements depend on factors such as your age, disability status, and whether you’re caring for dependent children.

Qualifying Relationships

You may be eligible for survivor benefits if you are:

• A widow or widower, age 60 or older (age 50 or older if disabled).
• A divorced spouse, if the marriage lasted at least 10 years.
• A widow or widower at any age, caring for the deceased’s child under age 16 or disabled.
• An unmarried child of the deceased, under age 18 (or up to age 19 if attending school full-time).
• A dependent parent, age 62 or older, of the deceased.

Deceased Spouse’s Work Credits

In addition to your relationship with the deceased, their work history also plays a role in determining eligibility. The deceased spouse must have earned enough Social Security credits during their lifetime. The number of credits required depends on their age at the time of death, with a maximum of 40 credits (equivalent to 10 years of work).

Age Requirements

The age at which you can start receiving survivor benefits depends on your relationship with the deceased and your circumstances. Widows and widowers can claim benefits as early as age 60 or age 50 if disabled. If you’re caring for the deceased’s child who is under 16 or disabled, you can receive benefits at any age.

Remarriage and Eligibility

Remarriage can affect your eligibility for survivor benefits. If you remarry before age 60 (or age 50 if disabled), you will not be eligible for survivor benefits based on your deceased spouse’s record. However, if you remarry after reaching the respective age thresholds, you can still qualify for benefits.

Understanding these eligibility criteria is the first step in determining whether you qualify for Social Security survivor benefits. In the next section, we’ll explore how benefit amounts are calculated.

How Survivor Benefit Amounts Are Determined

Once you’ve determined your eligibility for Social Security survivor benefits, the next step is understanding how the benefit amount is calculated. Several factors influence the amount you receive, including your deceased spouse’s earnings history, age, and relationship to the deceased.

Factors Affecting Benefit Amounts

• Deceased spouse’s earnings: The primary factor in determining your survivor benefit is your deceased spouse’s average lifetime earnings. Higher earnings generally result in higher benefits.
• Survivor’s age: The age at which you start receiving survivor benefits affects the amount you receive. The total benefit amount is payable if you wait until your full retirement age (FRA), which ranges from 66 to 67, depending on your birth year.
• Survivor’s relationship to the deceased: The percentage of the deceased’s benefit you receive depends on your relationship. For example:
  •    Widows and widowers at FRA receive 100% of the deceased’s benefit.
  •    Widows and widowers age 60 to FRA receive 71.5% to 99%.
  •    Disabled widows and widowers age 50 to 59 receive 71.5%.
  •    Widows and widowers caring for the deceased’s child under 16 receive 75%.

Calculating Benefit Amounts

To calculate your survivor benefit amount, start with your deceased spouse’s basic Social Security benefit (also known as the primary insurance amount). Then, apply the appropriate percentage based on your age and relationship to the deceased.

For example, if your deceased spouse’s benefit at FRA was $1,500 and you are 65 (not yet at FRA), you would receive approximately 95% of that amount, or $1,425 per month. If you still have any questions, use the SSA’s online benefits calculator.

Lump-Sum Death Benefit

In addition to monthly survivor benefits, you may be eligible for a one-time lump-sum death payment of $255. To qualify, you must have been living with the deceased at the time of death. If there is no surviving spouse, the payment can be made to a child who is eligible for benefits on the deceased’s record.

Maximum Family Benefits

If multiple family members are eligible for survivor benefits on the same deceased individual’s record, the total amount that can be paid each month is limited. The limit varies but is generally between 150 percent and 188 percent of the deceased’s basic benefit amount.

Understanding how survivor benefit amounts are calculated can help you plan for your financial future and ensure you receive the maximum benefits you are entitled to.

Applying for Social Security Survivor Benefits

Navigating the application process for Social Security survivor benefits can seem daunting, but with the right information and preparation, you can ensure a smooth experience.

How to Apply

You can apply for survivor benefits in two ways:

• Visit your local Social Security office in person.
• Call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).

Note that you cannot apply for survivor benefits online.

Required Documents

When applying for survivor benefits, you must provide several documents to verify your identity, relationship to the deceased, and eligibility. These may include:

• Death certificate.
• Birth certificates (yours and the deceased’s).
• Marriage certificate.
• Divorce decree (if applicable).
• Social Security numbers (yours and the deceased’s).
• W-2 forms or self-employment tax returns (if applicable).

Having these documents readily available can help expedite the application process.

Timeline for Receiving Benefits

Once you’ve applied for survivor benefits, the Social Security Administration will review your application and notify you of their decision. If approved, you can expect to receive benefits within a few months of your application date.

In some cases, depending on when you apply and your eligibility, benefits may be paid retroactively from the date of your spouse’s death.

Frequently Asked Questions About Survivor Benefits

• What is the difference between survivor benefits and widow benefits?: Survivor benefits and widow benefits are essentially the same thing. The Social Security Administration uses the umbrella term “Survivor benefits” to refer to benefits paid to eligible family members, including widows, widowers, children, and dependent parents.
• Can I receive survivor benefits if I remarry?: If you remarry before age 60 (or age 50 if disabled), you will not be eligible for survivor benefits based on your deceased spouse’s record. However, if you remarry after reaching these age thresholds, you can still qualify for benefits.
• How long do survivor benefits last?: Widows and widowers can receive survivor benefits for life as long as they do not remarry before age 60 (or age 50 if disabled). Children can receive benefits until they turn 18 (or 19 if attending high school full-time). Disabled children can continue receiving benefits for as long as they remain disabled.
• Can I switch between survivor benefits and my own retirement benefits?: Yes, you have the option to switch between survivor benefits and your own retirement benefits. This can be a useful strategy for maximizing your total lifetime benefits. Depending on your age and benefit amounts, you may want to consider starting with one type of benefit and then switching to the other later.
• What if my deceased spouse didn’t earn enough Social Security credits?: In some cases, even if your deceased spouse did not earn the required 40 credits, you may still be eligible for survivor benefits if they earned at least 6 credits in the 3 years before their death. This is particularly relevant for young families facing the unexpected loss of a spouse.

Taking the First Steps Toward Financial Security

Losing a spouse is an emotionally challenging experience. A comforting fact is Social Security benefits lift more than 16.5 million older adults above the official poverty line. Understanding your options for Social Security survivor benefits can provide some peace of mind during this difficult time. By familiarizing yourself with the eligibility criteria, benefit calculations, and application process, you’ll be better prepared to make informed decisions about your financial future.

Remember, you don’t have to navigate this process alone. The Social Security Administration offers resources and assistance to help you understand your benefits and guide you through the application process. Don’t hesitate to reach out to them or seek the advice of a qualified financial professional as you take the first steps toward securing your financial well-being.