Losing a spouse is a deeply emotional and challenging experience. Amidst the grief and adjustment, navigating financial matters can feel overwhelming. One crucial aspect is understanding your eligibility for Social Security survivor benefits. This guide will help you comprehend your options and how to claim them.
Who Qualifies for Social Security Survivor Benefits?
If your husband has passed away, you may be eligible for survivor benefits under specific conditions. These benefits provide financial support to help you maintain stability during this difficult time.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Age 60 or Older: You are eligible if you are 60 years or older and were married to your husband for at least 9 months.
- Age 50 or Older with Disability: If you are 50 years or older and have a disability that began within seven years of your husband’s death, you may qualify.
- Caring for a Minor Child: You are eligible if you are caring for your husband’s child under 16 or a disabled child of any age.
Additional Factors:
- Length of Marriage: Generally, you must have been married for at least 9 months to qualify. However, this requirement is waived if your husband’s death was accidental or occurred during military service.
- Remarriage: Remarrying after age 60 will not affect your survivor benefits. However, remarrying before age 60 will disqualify you. If that marriage ends, you may reinstate your benefits.
How Much Will You Receive?
The amount you receive depends on two key factors:
- Your Husband’s Age at Death:
- If your husband did not reach full retirement age, you will receive 100% of his retirement benefit.
- If he reached retirement age, you will receive the amount he was entitled to in the month of his death.
- Your Age:
- At full retirement age, you will receive 100% of your husband’s benefits.
- If you are younger than full retirement age but at least 60 (or 50 with a disability), you will receive a reduced benefit (71.5% to 99%, depending on your age).
- If you are caring for a minor or disabled child, you may be eligible for 75% of your husband’s benefits, regardless of your age.
Important Note:
If your husband was already receiving Social Security benefits, you will receive the amount he received in the month of his death.
Other Benefits:
In addition to monthly payments, you may also be eligible for a one-time lump sum death benefit of $255. To qualify, you must have lived with your husband when he died.
Applying for Survivor Benefits:
If you are already receiving spousal benefits, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will automatically switch you to survivor benefits upon receiving proof of death. Otherwise, you will need to apply.
Application Process:
- Call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).
- Schedule an appointment at your local SSA office.
Required Documents:
- Proof of death (death certificate or funeral home documentation)
- Your and your husband’s Social Security numbers
- Marriage certificate
- Your husband’s most recent W-2 forms or federal tax return
- Bank information for direct deposit
Maximizing Your Benefits:
In many cases, a surviving spouse can begin receiving 1 benefit at a reduced rate and allow the other benefit amount to increase. 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.
Seek Guidance:
Navigating Social Security survivor benefits can be complex. Consider consulting a financial advisor or the SSA for personalized advice. They can help you understand your eligibility, calculate your potential benefits, and guide you through the application process.
Remember:
Losing a spouse is a difficult time. Take care of yourself and prioritize your well-being. Social Security survivor benefits can provide financial support during this transition. By understanding your options and taking the necessary steps, you can ensure you receive the benefits you deserve.
Whether you have wed again can also affect eligibility. You are not eligible to receive survivor benefits if you were remarried before turning 60 (or 50 if you are disabled). You regain eligibility if that marriage ends. And remarriage at or after the age of 60 (or 50 if disabled) has no bearing on your eligibility for survivor benefits.
Upon death, a Social Security beneficiary’s surviving spouse may be entitled to survivor benefits. About 3. As of December 2023, 8 million widows and widowers were receiving survivor benefits, some of whom had divorced from late beneficiaries. Can I Get My Spouse’s Social Security Benefits If They Die?
In most situations, Social Security will automatically convert you from spousal benefits to survivor benefits when the death is reported if you were already receiving spousal benefits based on the deceased’s work record. If not, you must apply for survivor benefits by contacting your local Social Security office or the Social Security Administration (SSA) at 800-772-1213. To avoid lengthy waits, the SSA advises calling ahead and making an appointment for office visits.
The amount your late spouse was receiving from Social Security at the time of death—or, if they had not yet claimed benefits, was entitled to receive based on age and earnings history—is typically used to calculate the survivor benefit. Your age and family situation will determine the actual amount of your payment:
If the surviving spouse has attained full retirement age, they can receive 100% of the late spouse’s benefit; however, if the deceased spouse claims benefits prior to attaining full retirement age, the amount will be reduced. (The full retirement age for survivor benefits is different from the full retirement age for retirement and spousal benefits; it is 66 and 2 months for 1957 births, 66 and 4 months for 1958 births, and will rise to 67 over the course of the next few years.) ).
In addition, if a qualifying spouse or child satisfies specific requirements, a one-time lump sum death payment of $255 may be made to them. Survivors have two years from the date of death of the number holder to apply for this payment.
You cannot apply for survivors benefits online. To report a death or apply for survivors benefits, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. local time, or contact your local Social Security office.
Depending on the deceased worker’s income, a surviving spouse, surviving divorced spouse, unmarried child, or dependent parent may be qualified for monthly survivor benefits.
Collecting Social Security When Your Spouse Dies: Survivor Benefits Explained
FAQ
When a husband dies does the wife get his Social Security?
Can I collect my deceased husband’s Social Security and mine at the same time?
What percentage of Social Security benefits does a widow receive?
Can I collect spousal benefits and my own Social Security?
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 surviving spouse apply for Social Security benefits?
We have some information to assist you in applying for benefits as a surviving spouse. 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.
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.