how to qualify for widow's benefits

What will you need when applying for widow's benefits?

• Your birth certificate.
• Proof of your spouse’s death.
• Proof of your U.S. citizenship or lawful alien status.
• Proof of your discharge from the U.S. military if you served prior to 1968.
• Tax returns and/or W-2 forms from the previous year.
• Marriage certificate.

Full Answer

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

How much do widows 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%.

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 do I receive widow's benefits?

You can apply for benefits by calling our national toll-free service at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or visiting your local Social Security office. An appointment is not required, but if you call ahead and schedule one, it may reduce the time you spend waiting to apply.

Can a widow get benefits from a spouse?

When a retired worker dies, the surviving spouse receives a benefit equal to the deceased worker's full 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 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.

Can you be denied survivor benefits?

If you are a minor convicted of intentionally causing your parent's death, you may be denied survivor benefits on the earnings record of your parent.

Who is eligible for spousal benefits from Social Security?

You're eligible for spousal benefits if you're married, divorced, or widowed, and your spouse is or was eligible for Social Security. Spouses and ex-spouses generally are eligible for up to half of the spouse's entitlement. Widows and widowers can receive up to 100%.

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.

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 ...

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 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.

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.

Who qualifies for a widow's pension?

Who Qualifies for a Widow’s Pension? Surviving spouses are not the only ones who can qualify for a widow’s pension under the Social Security Act of 1935. When we dig down into the details, there are others who can receive it besides the widow or widower.

What is widow's pension?

A widow’s pension is a form of income distributed to the deceased person’s family, who are qualifying beneficiaries, after their death. It is given out by the Social Security Administration. The pension is funded by the taxpayers when they pay their payroll taxes. A portion of each payment automatically funds widow’s pensions.

What age can a child be disabled?

That child must be disabled and under age 16. In this case, if you are divorced, you don’t have to meet the rule concerning the years you were married. If you are a widow in this same circumstance, you can receive benefits at any age. There is only one caveat.

How long do you have to work to get Social Security?

If you worked for at least 10 years , you can draw any Social Security benefit. In some cases, retired workers do not have to work that long. Here are the benefit amounts you would receive in different scenarios. Being divorced does not affect one’s qualification for this benefit.

Is a widow's pension a one time payment?

Don’t confuse the widow’s pension with the small death benefit sent to the surviving spouse or family for everyone who has worked under the Social Security system. The death benefit is a one-time payment. The widow’s pension is paid monthly.

Can I get a widow's pension if my spouse has paid into Social Security?

If your spouse has paid into Social Security, you may be entitled to apply for widow’s (or widower’s) benefits. The widow’s pension at least assures family members of deceased workers that they will still have income in the case of one of the breadwinner’s death.

Can a widow receive a pension if a domestic partnership is legal?

If you are in a domestic partnership, you are not eligible to receive a widow’s pension even if domestic partnerships are legal in your state. If you are a surviving widow or widower, or a surviving divorced widow, and you are taking care of the minor child of the person who died, you can receive a full pension.

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.