how to claim deceased spouse social security benefits

Applying for Spousal Benefits Call the Social Security Administration (SSA

) at (800)772-1213 to start your application for the survivors' benefit. You should apply for the survivors benefit soon after your husband or wife dies, since survivors benefits are usually paid from the time you apply, not from the date of death.

Full Answer

When can I Collect my deceased husband's Social Security?

When can I collect my deceased husband's Social Security 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.

When a husband dies does the wife get his social security?

A widow qualifies to collect her husband’s Social Security benefit if the survivor is at least age 60 and was married for at least nine months at the time of death. In certain circumstances the widow will receive benefits earlier than age 60.

Can you collect deceased spouse SSI?

The amount of Social Security survivor’s benefits to which you are entitled varies depending on the amount of retirement benefit your deceased spouse was entitled to, your age and (potentially) how long you were married. In most cases, you will be entitled to full benefits if you are of retirement age (62 or older).

What happens if your spouse dies Social Security?

Social Security will pay you either your retirement benefits or survivor benefits, whichever amount is higher. Also, if your spouse died young enough that you remarried before you turned 60, you won’t be able to collect a widow/widowers benefit. If you wait until after you turn 60, you can get the benefits.

When a husband dies does the wife get his Social Security?

These are examples of the benefits that survivors may receive: Widow or widower, full retirement age or older — 100% of the deceased worker's benefit amount. Widow or widower, age 60 — full retirement age — 71½ to 99% of the deceased worker's basic amount. Widow or widower with a disability aged 50 through 59 — 71½%.

How much does a widow get of her husband's 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%.

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.

Who is eligible for survivor benefits from Social Security?

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.

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.

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 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 long do you have to be married to receive Social Security if you have a deceased spouse?

To be eligible for benefits based on the record of a deceased husband or wife, the spouses must have been married to each other for at least a year. In addition, the deceased spouse must have earned sufficient Social Security credits to be entitled to Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) or Social Security retirement benefits.

How much of a deceased spouse's salary will be paid to a spouse who is 60?

A surviving spouse who is between age 60 and full retirement age will receive 71-99% percent of the deceased worker's monthly amount.

What is the lump sum death benefit?

Lump Sum Death Benefit. When a disabled worker entitled to Social Security benefits dies, the surviving spouse will receive a one-time death benefit worth several hundred dollars (currently $255) if the surviving spouse was living in the same household.

How long do you have to work to qualify for Social Security?

This benefit is known as the "mother's benefit" or the "father's benefit.". Usually a deceased spouse must have worked for at least 10 of the last 20 years in order to be eligible for disability or retirement benefits, but under a special Social Security rule, if the deceased spouse worked for at least one and one-half years in ...

What is the retirement age for a person born after 1960?

Retirement age is 66 for people born before 1956 and 67 for people born after 1960. However, the surviving spouse can begin to collect reduced retirement benefits at age 60. )

How to apply for spousal benefits?

Applying for Spousal Benefits. Call the Social Security Administration (SSA) at (800)772-1213 to start your application for the survivors' benefit. You should apply for the survivors benefit soon after your husband or wife dies, since survivors benefits are usually paid from the time you apply, not from the date of death.

When does the mother's benefit stop?

The mother's or father's benefit will stop when the child turns 16 or ceases to be disabled, but can restart again when the surviving spouse (or divorced surviving spouse) turns 60 (or if disabled, turns 50).

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.

What to do if you are not getting survivors benefits?

If you are not getting benefits. If you are not getting benefits, you should apply for survivors benefits promptly because, in some cases, benefits may not be retroactive.

Can you report a death online?

However, you cannot report a death or apply for survivors benefits online. In most cases, the funeral home will report the person’s death to us. 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, ...

Can you get survivors benefits if you die?

The Basics About Survivors Benefits. Your family members may receive survivors benefits if you die. If you are working and paying into Social Security, some of those taxes you pay are for survivors benefits. Your spouse, children, and parents could be eligible for benefits based on your earnings.

What happens to Social Security when a spouse dies?

Social Security When A Spouse Dies: Survivor Benefits Guide. If your spouse dies and you have reached full retirement age, you’re eligible for 100% of their benefits. If your spouse dies and you have reached full retirement age, you’re eligible for 100% of their benefits. If your spouse retired before full retirement age, ...

Who is eligible for Social Security after death?

The following is a list of who is eligible to receive Social Security benefits after someone has died: A widow or widower over 60. A widow or widower over 50 and disabled. Surviving divorced spouses, assuming the marriage lasted at least ten years.

What is spousal benefit based on?

SSA spousal benefits are based on the earnings of the deceased. The longer they worked and the more money they earned over their lifetime, the higher the benefits will be. Survivors benefits are based on a percentage of the deceased person’s Social Security benefit.

What is Social Security survivor benefit?

Social Security survivors benefits are based on a percentage of your spouses’ benefits. If the deceased started collecting reduced benefits before reaching full retirement age, your survivors benefits would be reduced as well. If the deceased died before he/she was eligible to collect, the benefit is based on what they would have received ...

How long do you have to be married to get disability benefits?

If the deceased died in an accident or died in the line of U.S. Military duty, there’s no length of marriage requirement. You can apply for your deceased spouse’s benefits as early as age 50 if you are disabled and the disability occurred within seven years of the spouse’s death.

How long can a spouse collect Social Security?

If the deceased was already receiving Social Security benefits, the surviving spouse is eligible to collect 100% of the benefits as long as they are at least 60 and they were married to the deceased for at least nine months. There are exceptions:

What happens if my spouse dies before retirement?

If your spouse retired before full retirement age, they received a reduced retirement benefit and you will receive reduced survivors’ benefits.

What Is The Social Security Death Benefit?

The Social Security Death Benefit is a one-time payment of $255 that Social Security pays to the family or other representatives of a deceased Social Security beneficiary. This benefit is also known as the Social Security Widow’s Benefit.

Qualifications To Earn The Survivors Benefits

You or the deceased individual will need to have at least 40 credits (10 years of work or contributions to Social Security) to pass on the survivor’s benefits to family members.

Who Is Eligible For A Social Security Lump-Sum Death Payment?

The surviving spouse or a child is eligible to receive the death benefit from Social Security.

How To Apply For The Social Security Death Benefit After A Family Member Passes Away

You can apply for the $255 lump-sum payment by phone or by visiting a local Social Security office.

Does Social Security Pay For A Funeral?

No, Social Security does not pay for funerals. They can offer a one-time payment of $255 to the surviving spouse or child of the deceased Social Security beneficiary.

Conclusion

While the Social Security Administration will not pay for a funeral, they can offer a one-time payment of $255 to a family member.

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

To be eligible the spouse must have been married to their spouse for at least nine months at the time of death. The survivor is eligible to claim the greater of their own benefit or their deceased spouse’s benefit but not both. You cannot collect your deceased spouse’s Social Security and your own. If you were divorced from your ex-spouse at ...

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

When can a widow collect her husband’s Social Security? A widow qualifies to collect her husband’s Social Security benefit if the survivor is at least age 60 and was married for at least nine months at the time of death. In certain circumstances the widow will receive benefits earlier than age 60. If you have children from the marriage ...

How long do you have to be married to get a survivor benefit?

If you are divorced but were married to ex-spouse for at least ten years and did not remarry before age 60, then you are eligible for the survivor benefit when your ex-spouse passes away, even if they have remarried. Also, if you are caring for their child, and the child is under age 16, the ten-year marriage requirement is waived.

What age can you claim survivor benefits?

When your spouse’s benefit is fully maximized upon them reaching age 70 you could then switch and claim the survivor benefit.

How to apply for survivor benefits?

If you were receiving benefits based on your working record or not receiving benefits at all you will need to contact Social Security to apply for survivor benefits. You can apply online, by phone 800-772-1213 or in person at your local office. (Currently due to the coronavirus pandemic local offices are closed.)

What happens if you claim survivor benefits before you reach retirement age?

If you claim this benefit before reaching your full retirement age the benefit is permanently reduced for the rest of your life. Once you decide to claim the survivor benefit, the benefit will stay the same except for any annual cost of living increases.

When do you need to consider the survivor benefit?

You need to consider the survivor benefit when each of you make your decision of when to claim your own Social Security benefit. The higher benefit lasts until the second spouse passes away so it is important to maximize the greater Social Security benefit. Upon the death of a spouse or ex-spouse you could be eligible for a survivor benefit.

What happens if my ex-spouse gets reduced Social Security?

If your late ex-spouse took reduced benefits by filing for Social Security early, you may qualify for the highest possible share of those benefits — that is , the highest possible survivor benefit — before your own FRA. If this is your situation, contact Social Security to see how it will affect your survivor benefit.

What happens if you claim survivor benefits before you reach full retirement age?

Claiming survivor benefits before you reach full retirement age reduces the amount of your benefit, except as noted below . If you are caring for a child from the marriage who is under the age of 16 or is disabled, you will receive 75 percent of the deceased ex-spouse’s benefit. If you have already claimed Social Security on your own, ...

What happens to survivor benefits when you retire?

Claiming survivor benefits before you reach full retirement age reduces the amount of your benefit, except as noted below. If you are caring for a child from the marriage who is under the age of 16 or is disabled, you will receive 75 percent of the deceased ex-spouse’s benefit.

Does Survivor Benefits affect late beneficiaries?

Survivor benefits paid to you as a divorced spouse do not affect payments to the late beneficiary’s widow or widower or to other former spouses. Updated May 6, 2021.