Survivor Benefits: What Families Should Know

Losing a spouse or family member is one of life's hardest experiences. During that time, financial questions can feel overwhelming. Social Security survivor benefits are designed to provide income to eligible family members of a worker who has died. Understanding the basics can help you or a loved one take the right steps.

Who may qualify

Family members who may be eligible include:

• Widows and widowers age 60 or older (age 50 or older if disabled)
• Surviving spouses of any age caring for the deceased's child who is under 16 or disabled
• Unmarried children under 18 (or up to 19 if in high school), or older if disabled before age 22
• Divorced spouses, if the marriage lasted at least 10 years and other conditions are met
• Dependent parents age 62 or older, in some cases

The deceased worker must have worked long enough under Social Security to qualify.

How much can a surviving spouse receive?

• At full retirement age for survivors, a surviving spouse can receive 100 percent of the deceased worker's benefit amount.
• Survivors can claim reduced benefits as early as age 60. The reduction depends on how early you claim.
• If the deceased worker was receiving reduced benefits because they claimed early, the survivor benefit may be limited, but special rules apply.
• If the deceased worker had delayed claiming, the survivor benefit includes those delayed retirement credits.

If you have your own retirement benefit

You cannot receive both your own retirement benefit and a survivor benefit in full at the same time. You receive the higher amount. However, you may be able to:

• Start one benefit first and switch to the other later.
• For example, take a reduced survivor benefit early and switch to your own retirement benefit at 70 if that would be higher, or the reverse.

This flexibility is unique to survivor benefits and can be valuable. Ask Social Security to explain your options.

Remarriage

If you remarry after age 60 (or after 50 if disabled), remarriage does not affect your eligibility for survivor benefits. Remarrying before age 60 generally ends eligibility while that marriage lasts.

The one-time lump-sum death payment

A one-time payment of $255 may be paid to a surviving spouse who was living with the deceased, or in some cases to a spouse or child receiving benefits on the deceased's record. It must generally be applied for within two years.

What to do after a death

1. Report the death to Social Security. Usually, the funeral home reports the death if you give them the deceased's Social Security number.
2. Contact Social Security to apply for survivor benefits. Survivor benefits generally cannot be applied for online; call 1-800-772-1213 or make an appointment at a local office.
3. Gather documents, such as the death certificate, marriage certificate, birth certificates and Social Security numbers.
4. Note that benefits for the month of death are handled according to specific rules. A payment received for the month of death may need to be returned.

Protect yourself from scams

People who have recently lost a loved one can be targets for scams. Social Security will not call you demanding immediate payment or threatening to stop benefits. Contact Social Security directly using official phone numbers.

Get support

Your local Area Agency on Aging, a SHIP counselor (for Medicare questions) and trusted financial professionals can help with the practical steps after a loss.

Terrameritavi is an independent publication and is not affiliated with the Social Security Administration. This article is general information, not financial advice.