What Happens to Your Social Security When Your Spouse Dies? Understanding Survivor Benefits

When your spouse dies, you may wonder: do I get his social security and mine? The answer depends on several factors, including your age, work history, and the timing of your application. Understanding how survivor benefits work can help you make informed decisions during a difficult time and ensure you receive all the benefits you’re entitled to.

Can You Receive Your Spouse’s Social Security After Death?

Yes, a surviving spouse is eligible for Social Security benefits following their spouse’s death, even if they never worked under Social Security themselves. However, certain conditions must be met. According to the Social Security Administration, your eligibility depends primarily on your age at the time of your spouse’s death and your relationship status.

If you’re at least 60 years old, you can claim reduced survivor benefits immediately. If you’re between 50 and 59, you may qualify if you have a qualifying disability. Additionally, if you’re caring for your spouse’s child who is under 16 or has a disability (and receives child benefits), you may be eligible for benefits at any age, regardless of your own age.

How Much Will You Receive?

The amount you receive as a surviving spouse varies based on your age and whether you’ve reached full retirement age:

• At full retirement age or older: You’ll receive 100% of your spouse’s primary insurance amount
• Ages 60 to full retirement age: You’ll get between 71.5% and 99% of the benefit amount
• Ages 50 to 59 (with disability): You’ll receive 71.5% of the benefit amount
• Caring for a child under 16 or disabled child: You’ll receive 75% of the benefit amount

Importantly, you may be able to switch to your own retirement benefits at age 62 if those benefits are higher than your survivor benefits.

Do I Get My Own Social Security Plus My Spouse’s?

This is a common question. You cannot receive both your own full retirement benefit and your spouse’s full survivor benefit simultaneously. Instead, you’ll receive whichever benefit is higher. If you’re already receiving your own Social Security benefits, you can apply for survivor benefits only if the survivor amount exceeds your current benefit. The Social Security Administration will then pay you the higher of the two amounts.

However, if you haven’t yet applied for your own retirement benefits, you have the option to apply for both and choose whichever provides greater financial support.

Survivor Benefits for Divorced Spouses

If you were divorced from your deceased spouse, you can still receive survivor benefits if your marriage lasted at least 10 years. The amount remains the same as for surviving married spouses. This applies even if your ex-spouse had remarried. However, if you remarry before age 60 (or before age 50 if disabled), you may lose your eligibility for survivor benefits.

Additional Lump-Sum Death Payment

Beyond monthly survivor benefits, a lump-sum death payment of $255 may be available to your household. To qualify, you must have been living in the same household as your spouse at the time of their death. If you weren’t living together, you must have already been receiving benefits or become eligible immediately upon their death.

How Benefits Change After Your Spouse’s Death

If you were receiving spousal benefits before your spouse’s death, these automatically convert to survivor benefits once the Social Security Administration is notified of the death. Your benefit amount may change during this transition, potentially increasing if survivor benefits are higher than what you were previously receiving.

How to Apply for Survivor Benefits

It’s crucial to report your spouse’s death to the Social Security Administration as soon as possible. Contact the office at 800-772-1213 to speak with a representative or visit your local Social Security office in person. Note that you cannot report the death online or file for survivor benefits through the website—direct contact with the agency is required.

When you contact them, be prepared to provide documentation of your spouse’s death and information about your work history. Acting promptly ensures there are no delays in processing your survivor benefits.

Planning Ahead Matters

Understanding what happens to your social security when your spouse dies helps you plan your retirement strategy more effectively. Review your current benefits, consider when to claim, and discuss your situation with a Social Security representative to maximize your household’s financial security. By taking these steps now, you can ease the financial burden during what is already a challenging time.