how do i qualify for widow's benefits

• Be at least age 60.
• Be the widow or widower of a fully insured worker.
• Meet the marriage duration requirement.
• Be unmarried, unless the marriage can be disregarded.
• Not be entitled to an equal or higher Social Security retirement benefit based on your own work.

When can I start collecting widow's benefits?

The earliest a widow or widower can start receiving Social Security survivors benefits based on age will remain at age 60. Widows or widowers benefits based on age can start any time between age 60 and full retirement age as a survivor.

What are my Social Security benefits as a widow?

Key Takeaways

• Widows and widowers can integrate Social Security worker and survivor benefits.
• The rules for widows and widowers are complex but worthy of understanding.
• Don’t forget the Earnings Test may apply if a surviving spouse is earning income.

How do you qualify for Social Security survivor benefits?

• Birth certificate
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful alien status if you were not born in the US
• Social Security number
• Financial documents, such as W-2 forms and tax returns

How can I qualify for survivors benefits?

• Proof of death
• Birth certificate
• Proof of citizenship
• Proof of disability
• Certain SSA forms
• W-2s and tax forms
• Marriage certificate
• Divorce decree
• Child’s birth certificate
• Proof of adoption

When can a widow collect her husband's Social Security?

age 60The earliest a widow or widower can start receiving Social Security survivors benefits based on age will remain at age 60. Widows or widowers benefits based on age can start any time between age 60 and full retirement age as a survivor.

How much money does a widow get from Social Security?

Widow or widower, full retirement age or older—100% of your benefit amount. Widow or widower, age 60 to full retirement age—71½ to 99% of your basic amount. A child under age 18 (19 if still in elementary or secondary school) or has a disability—75%.

Who is eligible for widow's benefits?

A widow or widower age 60 or older (age 50 or older if they have a disability). A surviving divorced spouse, under certain circumstances. A widow or widower at any age who is caring for the deceased's child who is under age 16 or has a disability and receiving child's benefits.

What is the difference between survivor benefits and widow benefits?

It is important to note a key difference between survivor benefits and spousal benefits. Spousal retirement benefits provide a maximum 50% of the other spouse's primary insurance amount (PIA). Alternatively, survivors' benefits are a maximum 100% of the deceased spouse's retirement benefit.

When my husband dies do I get his Social Security and mine?

Social Security will not combine a late spouse's benefit and your own and pay you both. When you are eligible for two benefits, such as a survivor benefit and a retirement payment, Social Security doesn't add them together but rather pays you the higher of the two amounts.

What a surviving spouse needs to know?

Documents You Need When a Spouse DiesBirth certificate.Death certificate.Will.Marriage certificate.Financial account records, including checkings and savings accounts, retirement accounts, pension accounts, loan accounts, and investment accounts like trusts.Real estate records, including deeds and lease agreements.More items...

Can you work and still get widows benefits?

You can get Social Security retirement or survivors benefits and work at the same time. But, if you're younger than full retirement age, and earn more than certain amounts, your benefits will be reduced. The amount that your benefits are reduced, however, isn't truly lost.

How long does it take to get approved for survivor benefits?

30 to 60 daysAbout 5 million widows and widowers currently qualify. It takes 30 to 60 days for survivors benefits payments to start after they are approved, according to the agency's website.

When a spouse dies does the survivor get their Social Security?

Social Security is a key source of financial security to widowed spouses. About 7.8 million individuals aged 60 and older receive Social Security benefits based, at least in part, on a deceased spouse's work record. These surviving spouse beneficiaries are overwhelmingly women.

What percentage of a widow's benefit is a widow?

Widow or widower, full retirement age or older — 100 percent of the deceased worker's benefit amount. Widow or widower, age 60 — full retirement age — 71½ to 99 percent of the deceased worker's basic amount. A child under age 18 (19 if still in elementary or secondary school) or disabled — 75 percent.

How long do you have to wait to receive Social Security if you die?

If the eligible surviving spouse or child is not currently receiving benefits, they must apply for this payment within two years of the date of death. For more information about this lump-sum payment, contact your local Social Security office or call 1-800-772-1213 ( TTY 1-800-325-0778 ).

How to report a death to the funeral home?

You should give the funeral home the deceased person’s Social Security number if you want them to make the report. If you need to report a death or apply for benefits, call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778 ). You can speak to a Social Security representative between 8:00 am – 5:30 pm. Monday through Friday.

How much can a family member receive per month?

The limit varies, but it is generally equal to between 150 and 180 percent of the basic benefit rate.

Can I apply for survivors benefits now?

You can apply for retirement or survivors benefits now and switch to the other (higher) benefit later. For those already receiving retirement benefits, you can only apply for benefits as a widow or widower if the retirement benefit you receive is less than the benefits you would receive as a survivor.

When can I switch to my own Social Security?

If you qualify for retirement benefits on your own record, you can switch to your own retirement benefit as early as age 62 .

Can a widow get a divorce if she dies?

If you are the divorced spouse of a worker who dies, you could get benefits the same as a widow or widower, provided that your marriage lasted 10 years or more. Benefits paid to you as a surviving divorced spouse won't affect the benefit amount for other survivors getting benefits on the worker's record.

How old do you have to be to get Social Security for widows?

Here are some basic guidelines that will let you know if you could qualify. 1. Generally, you must. Be at least 60 years old.

What is a widow's pension?

Survivors benefits, or a “widow's pension” as it’s sometimes called, refer to monthly Social Security payments made to the family members of a wage earner who has died. This income can help keep family finances on even footing during a very difficult time.

What happens if my spouse doesn't collect her pension?

If your spouse didn’t begin collecting their benefits before they passed, you are entitled to the same payments they would have received after reaching their full retirement age. If you start to draw on your widow's benefits before full retirement age, you’ll get a decreased percentage.

What is the full retirement age?

Full retirement age is between 65 and 67, depending on when you were born. For a complete list, take a look at this full retirement age chart. Regardless of when someone passes away, you typically can’t receive SSA widow's benefits until age 60.

What percentage of your spouse's insurance will you receive if you die?

If your spouse already started collecting their benefits before they passed, but were not at their full retirement age, then you will receive the greater of 82.5% of their primary insurance amount or the amount they were receiving at the time of their death. 3.

How long do you have to be married to receive Social Security?

Have been married at least 9 months to the deceased. Not be entitled to an equal or higher Social Security retirement benefit based on your own work. If you’re wondering how to get Social Security widow's benefits you’ll need to apply by phone or at your local office after your spouse’s passing.

When do you start receiving survivors benefits?

Take the survivors benefits while delaying your own Social Security until full retirement age or 70. You will automatically start to receive your benefits when you turn 70. Start drawing on your Social Security earlier and then switch to survivors benefits when you reach full retirement age or 70. Losing a spouse is one ...

Documents you may need to provide

We may ask you to provide documents to show that you are eligible, such as:

What we will ask you

You also should bring along your checkbook or other papers that show your account number at a bank, credit union or other financial institution so you can sign up for Direct Deposit, and avoid worries about lost or stolen checks and mail delays.

How old do you have to be to get a widower's pension?

Widows and Widowers. A widow or widower can receive benefits: At age 60 or older. At age 50 or older if disabled. At any age if they take care of a child of the deceased who is younger than age 16 or disabled. Divorced Widows and Widowers.

What age can you get disability benefits?

Younger than age 18 (or up to age 19 if they are attending elementary or secondary school full time). Any age and were disabled before age 22 and remain disabled. Under certain circumstances, benefits also can be paid to stepchildren, grandchildren, stepgrandchildren, or adopted children. Dependent parents.

How much is a death benefit for dependent parents?

Parents age 62 or older who received at least one-half support from the deceased can receive benefits. One-time lump sum death payment. A one-time payment of $255 can be made only to a spouse or child if they meet certain requirements.

How to report a death to Social Security?

To report a death or apply for survivors benefits, use one of these methods: Call our toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778 ). Visit or call your local Social Security office. More Information. If You Are The Survivor. Survivors Benefits.

Can you get Social Security if you die?

When you die, members of your family could be eligible for benefits based on your earnings. You and your children also may be able to get benefits if your deceased spouse or former spouse worked long enough under Social Security.

When can a widow receive Social Security?

The earliest a widow or widower can start receiving Social Security survivors benefits based on age will remain at age 60. Widows or widowers benefits based on age can start any time between age 60 and full retirement age as a survivor. If the benefits start at an earlier age, they are reduced a fraction of a percent for each month ...

What age can you collect a $1000 survivor benefit?

Generally, if the person who died was receiving reduced benefits, we base the survivors benefit on that amount. Year of Birth 1. Full (survivors) Retirement Age 2. At age 62 a $1000 survivors benefit would be reduced to 3. Months between age 60 and full retirement age.

What are the pros and cons of taking survivors benefits before retirement age?

Pros And Cons. There are disadvantages and advantages to taking survivors benefits before full retirement age. The advantage is that the survivor collects benefits for a longer period of time. The disadvantage is that the survivors benefit may be reduced.

How much is the 62 survivors benefit?

It includes examples of the age 62 survivors benefit based on an estimated monthly benefit of $1000 at full retirement age . If the worker started receiving retirement benefits before their full retirement age, we cannot pay the full retirement age benefit amount on their record. Generally, if the person who died was receiving reduced benefits, ...

Can you use the retirement estimate to determine the amount of a spouse's retirement benefits?

You cannot use the Retirement Estimator to determine benefit amounts for a surviving spouse. However, if you know what the worker's yearly lifetime earnings were, you can use our Online Calculator to get a rough estimate of what the benefits would be for the surviving spouse at full retirement age.

What is widower's insurance?

Social Security Widow (er)'s Insurance Benefits. This benefit is paid to the widow or widower of a deceased worker who earned enough work credits.

How old do you have to be to qualify for Social Security?

To qualify for this benefit program, you must meet all of the following requirements: Be at least age 60. Be the widow or widower of a fully insured worker. Meet the marriage duration requirement. Be unmarried, unless the marriage can be disregarded. Not be entitled to an equal or higher Social Security retirement benefit based on your own work. ...

How do I contact Social Security by phone?

You may also contact Social Security by phone at: 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778) Visit SSA's Publications Page for detailed information about SSA programs and policies. 1-800-772-1213. Receive an email when this benefit page is updated: Subscribe to this Benefit.

Can I get Social Security based on my work?

Not be entitled to an equal or higher Social Security retirement benefit based on your own work. If you would like to find out if you are eligible for any of Social Security's benefit programs, use SSA’s Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool.

How long do you have to be married to receive survivor benefits?

In most cases, a widow or widower qualifies for survivor benefits if he or she is at least 60 and had been married to the deceased for at least nine months at the time of death. But there are a few exceptions to those requirements: 1 If the late beneficiary’s death was accidental or occurred in the line of U.S. military duty, there’s no length-of-marriage requirement. 2 You can apply for survivor benefits as early as age 50 if you are disabled and the disability occurred within seven years of your spouse’s death. 3 If you are caring for children from the marriage who are under 16 or disabled, you can apply at any age.

What happens to Social Security when a spouse dies?

En español | When a Social Security beneficiary dies, his or her surviving spouse is eligible for survivor benefits. A surviving spouse can collect 100 percent of the late spouse’s benefit if the survivor has reached full retirement age, but the amount will be lower if the deceased spouse claimed benefits before he or she reached full retirement age. (Full retirement age for survivor benefits differs from that for retirement and spousal benefits; it is currently 66 but will gradually increasing to 67 over the next several years.)

Can a deceased spouse receive survivor benefits?

If you are the divorced former spouse of a deceased Social Security recipient, you might qualify for survivor benefits on his or her work record. If you are below full retirement age and still working, your survivor benefit could be affected by Social Security's earnings limit.