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.
The loss of a loved one is a difficult and emotional time. If the deceased was a working individual who contributed to Social Security, their surviving family members may be eligible for financial assistance through Social Security survivors benefits. This guide provides essential information about eligibility requirements, the application process, and the types of benefits available.
Who is Eligible for Social Security Survivors Benefits?
Several categories of individuals may qualify for survivors benefits:
- Surviving Spouse: A widow or widower can receive benefits if they are at least 60 years old or caring for a child under 16 or disabled child who is also receiving benefits.
- Surviving Divorced Spouse: A divorced spouse may be eligible for benefits if they were married to the deceased for at least 10 years and are unmarried at the time of application.
- Unmarried Children: Children under 18, children 18-19 who are still in high school, or children with disabilities who became disabled before age 22 may be eligible for benefits.
- Dependent Parents: Parents aged 62 or older who were dependent on the deceased for at least half of their support may be eligible for benefits.
How to Apply for Social Security Survivors Benefits
You cannot apply for survivors benefits online. To initiate the application process, you can:
- Call the Social Security Administration (SSA): Contact the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) between 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. local time, Monday through Friday.
- Visit your local Social Security office: Locate your nearest office using the SSA Office Locator.
Documents Required for Application
The specific documents required for your application will vary depending on your relationship to the deceased and the type of benefit you are seeking. However, some common documents include:
- Death certificate of the deceased
- Social Security number of the deceased
- Your Social Security number
- Birth certificates for any eligible children
- Marriage certificate (if applicable)
- Divorce decree (if applicable)
- Proof of income (if applicable)
Types of Social Security Survivors Benefits
- Monthly Benefits: These are regular payments made to eligible survivors based on the deceased’s earnings record.
- Lump-Sum Death Payment: A one-time payment of $255 may be made to a qualifying spouse or child.
Additional Information
- It is crucial to report the death of a Social Security recipient promptly to ensure timely processing of benefits.
- In some cases, benefits may not be retroactive, so applying promptly is essential.
- If you are already receiving benefits on your own record, you may need to apply for survivors benefits separately to receive the higher benefit amount.
- The SSA website provides a wealth of information about survivors benefits, including publications, benefit calculators, and online forms.
Social Security survivors benefits provide financial support to families who have lost a loved one who was a contributing worker. Understanding eligibility requirements, the application process, and the types of benefits available can help surviving family members navigate this difficult time and access the financial assistance they need.
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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.
Who qualifies for Social Security survivor benefits?
After a worker passes away, survivor benefits provide surviving spouses and dependents with financial support. If you fit any of the following requirements, you might be eligible for survivor benefits:
- If your spouse passed away within seven years of your death, you are the surviving spouse, 60 years of age or older (or 50 years of age with a disability).
- As the survivor spouse, regardless of age, you are taking care of the worker’s child who passed away. The child needs to be disabled or under 16 years old.
Most of the time, you are eligible for survivor benefits if you were married to the deceased for at least nine months. If the death happened by accident or while serving in the US military, there is no length of marriage requirement. Remarrying after age 60 will not impact survivor benefits. But, you won’t be eligible for survivor benefits if you remarry before turning 60. However, you can regain your benefits if your second marriage dissolves.
In addition to spouses, other family members may qualify for survivor benefits, including children, grandchildren, parents and even divorced spouses. The Social Security Administration (SSA) provides a more complete list of who qualifies.
Collecting Social Security When Your Spouse Dies: Survivor Benefits Explained
FAQ
When a husband dies does the spouse get his Social Security?
What percentage of Social Security benefits does a widow receive?
What does a wife do when her husband dies?
What happens to social security if a spouse dies?
When one spouse dies, the surviving spouse will inherit the deceased partner’s Social Security payout (as a survivors benefit) if it’s larger than his or her own retirement benefit. Eligibility for retired-worker benefits and spousal benefits begins at age 62, but eligibility for survivors benefits begins at age 60.
Can I claim my deceased spouse’s Social Security benefits?
You cannot claim your deceased spouse’s benefits in addition to your own retirement benefits. Social Security only will pay one—survivor or retirement. If you qualify for both survivor and retirement benefits, you will receive whichever amount is higher.
Can a widow receive Social Security benefits if a spouse dies?
If you are a widow (or your ex-spouse died), you may be eligible to receive benefits on your late spouse’s, or ex-spouse’s, Social Security record. How much you receive will depend on your age, the amount of benefits you may receive on your own record, and whether you have dependent children.
Can a survivor receive Social Security benefits if a spouse dies?
If you will also receive a pension based on work not covered by Social Security, such as government or foreign work, your Social Security benefits as a survivor may be affected. A surviving spouse or child may receive a special lump-sum death payment of $255 if they meet certain requirements.