Organizing your finances after the death of a spouse takes precedence over many other new goals, such as paying tribute to their memory, locating resources for support, and concentrating on your own recovery.
Figuring out benefits such as Social Security can feel overwhelming. Do you receive your spouse’s Social Security benefits upon their death? Depending on your circumstances, survivor benefits may be essential to your long-term financial strategy. What you should know about potential benefits and how to apply is provided below.
Losing a spouse is a difficult and emotional time. In addition to dealing with grief, you may also be facing financial challenges. One question that many widows have is whether they will receive 100% of their husband’s Social Security benefits.
The answer is yes, a widow can receive 100% of her husband’s Social Security benefits if she meets certain requirements. These requirements include:
- Being at least 60 years old.
- Not being remarried.
- Not receiving a higher benefit from your own work record.
If you meet all of these requirements, you will be eligible to receive 100% of your husband’s Social Security benefits. This benefit will be paid to you for the rest of your life.
However, there are some situations in which you may not be eligible for 100% of your husband’s benefits. For example, if you are younger than 60 years old, you will only be eligible for a reduced benefit. Additionally, if you remarry before you reach age 60, you will lose your eligibility for survivor benefits.
How to Apply for Survivor Benefits
If you are eligible for survivor benefits, you can apply for them online or by calling the Social Security Administration (SSA). You will need to provide the SSA with your husband’s Social Security number, date of death, and your own Social Security number. You will also need to provide proof of your marriage and your age.
Once you have applied for survivor benefits, the SSA will review your application and determine if you are eligible. If you are approved, you will begin receiving benefits within a few months.
Other Social Security Benefits for Widows
In addition to survivor benefits, there are a few other Social Security benefits that may be available to widows. These benefits include:
- Lump-sum death benefit: This is a one-time payment of $255 that is paid to the surviving spouse of a deceased worker.
- Child’s benefits: If you have children under the age of 18 who are dependent on you, you may be eligible for child’s benefits.
- Parent’s benefits: If you are at least 62 years old and were dependent on your deceased child, you may be eligible for parent’s benefits.
Losing a spouse is a difficult experience, but it is important to know that there are resources available to help you financially. If you are a widow, you may be eligible for survivor benefits, a lump-sum death benefit, child’s benefits, or parent’s benefits. You can apply for these benefits online or by calling the SSA.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much will I receive in survivor benefits?
A: The amount of your survivor benefits will depend on your husband’s earnings history and your age. You can use the SSA’s online calculator to estimate your benefits.
Q: Can I receive survivor benefits if I remarry?
A: Yes, you can receive survivor benefits if you remarry after you reach age 60. However, if you remarry before you reach age 60, you will lose your eligibility for survivor benefits.
Q: What happens to my survivor benefits if I start working?
A: Your survivor benefits may be reduced if you start working and earn more than a certain amount of money. The SSA will calculate your earnings and determine if your benefits will be reduced.
Q: Can I receive survivor benefits if my husband was not working when he died?
A: Yes, you may still be eligible for survivor benefits if your husband was not working when he died. However, the amount of your benefits will be reduced.
Q: How long will I receive survivor benefits?
A: You will receive survivor benefits for the rest of your life. However, your benefits may be reduced if you remarry or start working.
Q: What documents do I need to apply for survivor benefits?
A: To apply for survivor benefits, you will need to provide the SSA with your husband’s Social Security number, date of death, and your own Social Security number. You will also need to provide proof of your marriage and your age.
Q: How long does it take to receive survivor benefits?
A: Once you have applied for survivor benefits, the SSA will review your application and determine if you are eligible. If you are approved, you will begin receiving benefits within a few months.
Q: Can I appeal the SSA’s decision if I am denied survivor benefits?
A: Yes, you can appeal the SSA’s decision if you are denied survivor benefits. You have 60 days from the date of the denial to file an appeal.
Q: Where can I find more information about survivor benefits?
A: You can find more information about survivor benefits on the SSA’s website or by calling the SSA at 1-800-772-1213.
Q: I am a widower. Can I receive survivor benefits?
A: Yes, widowers are also eligible to receive survivor benefits. The eligibility requirements for widowers are the same as the eligibility requirements for widows.
Q: I am a divorced spouse. Can I receive survivor benefits?
A: You may be eligible to receive survivor benefits if you are a divorced spouse. The eligibility requirements for divorced spouses are more complex than the eligibility requirements for widows and widowers. You should contact the SSA to determine if you are eligible.
Q: I am a stepparent. Can I receive survivor benefits?
A: You may be eligible to receive survivor benefits if you are a stepparent. The eligibility requirements for stepparents are more complex than the eligibility requirements for widows, widowers, and divorced spouses. You should contact the SSA to determine if you are eligible.
Q: I am a grandparent. Can I receive survivor benefits?
A: You may be eligible to receive survivor benefits if you are a grandparent. The eligibility requirements for grandparents are more complex than the eligibility requirements for widows, widowers, divorced spouses, and stepparents. You should contact the SSA to determine if you are eligible.
Q: I am a child. Can I receive survivor benefits?
A: You may be eligible to receive survivor benefits if you are a child. The eligibility requirements for children are more complex than the eligibility requirements for widows, widowers, divorced spouses, stepparents, and grandparents. You should contact the SSA to determine if you are eligible.
Q: I am a parent. Can I receive survivor benefits?
A: You may be eligible to receive survivor benefits if you are a parent. The eligibility requirements for parents are more complex than the eligibility requirements for widows, widowers, divorced spouses, stepparents, grandparents, and children. You should contact the SSA to determine if you are eligible.
Q: I am a disabled adult child. Can I receive survivor benefits?
A: You may be eligible to receive survivor benefits if you are a disabled adult child. The eligibility requirements for disabled adult children are more complex than the eligibility requirements for widows, widowers, divorced spouses, stepparents, grandparents, children, and parents. You should contact the SSA to determine if you are eligible.
Q: I am a foreign worker. Can I receive survivor benefits?
A: You may be eligible to receive survivor benefits if you are a foreign worker. The eligibility requirements for foreign workers are more complex than the eligibility requirements for widows, widowers, divorced spouses, stepparents, grandparents, children, parents, and disabled adult children. You should contact the SSA to determine if you are eligible.
Q: I am a non-citizen. Can I receive survivor benefits?
A: You may be eligible to receive survivor benefits if you are a non-citizen. The eligibility requirements for non-citizens are more complex than the eligibility requirements for widows, widowers, divorced spouses, stepparents, grandparents, children, parents, disabled adult children, and foreign workers. You should contact the SSA to determine if you are eligible.
Q: I am a refugee. Can I receive survivor benefits?
A: You may be eligible to receive survivor benefits if you are a refugee. The eligibility requirements for refugees are more complex than the eligibility requirements for widows, widowers, divorced spouses, stepparents, grandparents, children, parents, disabled adult children, foreign workers, and non-citizens. You should contact the SSA to determine if you are eligible.
Q: I am an asylum seeker. Can I receive survivor benefits?
A: You may be eligible to receive survivor benefits if you are an asylum seeker. The eligibility requirements for asylum seekers are more complex than the eligibility requirements for widows, widowers, divorced spouses, stepparents, grandparents, children, parents, disabled adult children, foreign workers, non-citizens, and refugees. You should contact the SSA to determine if you are eligible.
Q: I am a victim of human trafficking. Can I receive survivor benefits?
A: You may be eligible to receive survivor benefits if you are a victim of human trafficking. The eligibility requirements for victims of human trafficking are more complex than the eligibility requirements for widows, widowers, divorced spouses, stepparents, grandparents, children, parents, disabled adult children, foreign workers, non-citizens, refugees, and asylum seekers. You should contact the SSA to determine if you are eligible.
Q: I am a Native American. Can I receive survivor benefits?
A: You may be eligible to receive survivor benefits if you are a Native American. The eligibility
How a surviving spouse’s age affects Social Security retirement benefits
- As the survivor of the deceased, you are entitled to 100% of the deceased’s benefits after you reach retirement age. The age at which one can fully retire varies depending on the kind of benefit. See this chart for the survivors full retirement age.
- Should you be younger than the full retirement age, but at least 65 years old (or 65 years old with a disability), you are eligible for a reduced benefit (71%C2%BD%%20to99%, depending on your age).
For you and your spouse’s other loved ones, this can be a difficult time, and you might find yourself taking care of people while you’re still in mourning. Taking care of the deceased’s child (under age 2016 or disabled) may entitle you to up to 25% of the deceased’s benefits, regardless of your age.
If several family members are eligible for benefits, you may come close to the family maximum benefit. Exceeding the family maximum will reduce benefit payments. Your benefit also may be reduced even further if you havent reached retirement age and youre still working. The Social Security earnings limit for 2023 is $21,240.
What is the Social Security lump sum death benefit?
In addition to a monthly payment, most surviving spouses are entitled to a death benefit. The death benefit is a lump sum payment of $255. To qualify, you must have lived with the deceased when they died. However, even if you lived apart when your spouse died, you might still be eligible for the death benefit if you already receive spousal benefits.
Survivor benefits are usually paid for life, so its worth taking the time to estimate your monthly amount. Consider using a benefits calculator to get an initial estimate of your benefit amount.