Social Security survivor benefits may offer financial support to family members. Here’s what you need to know.
Many people do not know that Social Security offers survivor benefits as well as retirement benefits. Losing a loved one can not only be traumatic but also often impacts a family’s finances. Social Security survivor benefits may be available for a surviving spouse (including a divorced spouse), children, and/or a dependent parent.
Here are some things to keep in mind about Social Security survivor benefits.
Know the requirements
To qualify for Social Security survivor benefits, your deceased family member must have been working and paying Social Security taxes. The number of years needed to qualify for these benefits varies based on age at death. For most eligible recipients, their loved one had at least 10 years (equivalent to 40 credits) in a Social Security covered job. For young families caring for children, there is a special rule that allows qualification for benefits with a minimum of 1½ years of eligible work credits in the three years just prior to death.
Family members who may be eligible to receive monthly survivor benefits include:
- A surviving spouse age 60 or older (age 50 or older if disabled)
- A surviving spouse caring for the deceased’s child under age 16 or a disabled child receiving child benefits
- An unmarried child under age 18, a full-time student working toward a high school diploma up to age 19, or a disabled child of any age if they had a disability before age 22
- A dependent parent age 62 or older who was dependent on the deceased for at least half of their support
To receive benefits, there are earnings limitations based on the recipient’s age and type of survivor benefit payable. In addition, there is a maximum family benefit of which combined benefits cannot exceed.
The deceased’s family may also qualify for a one-time death benefit payment of $255.
Understand the details
The amount of survivor benefits available to your family depends on the deceased worker’s average lifetime earnings. The greater the earnings (up to a maximum), the greater the benefit. Check your Social Security Statement to see an estimate of family benefits available based on your record. This information is available online by creating a personal Social Security account at www.ssa.gov/myaccount or by contacting Social Security.
If your spouse passes away: If you and your spouse were both receiving monthly Social Security retirement benefits, your spouse’s benefit will stop. You may be able to switch from your retirement benefit to your spouse’s benefit if it is higher. If you choose to receive the spousal amount, it will be known as your survivor benefit and it will replace your retirement benefit. You will not receive both benefit payments. If you are at full retirement age or older, you are generally eligible to receive 100% of your spouse’s benefit. However, you may be eligible for reduced monthly benefits if you are at least age 60 (or age 50 and disabled). Contact Social Security to find out which option is best for your situation.
If your ex-spouse passes away: You may be eligible for survivor benefits if you were married for more than 10 years as long as you did not remarry before age 60. This is true even if your ex-spouse had remarried.
If your child is under 18: Both you and your child can receive survivor benefits until your child turns 16 years old (subject to income restrictions). Your child’s survivor benefits will continue until they turn 18 or 19, depending on when they graduate high school. A child can lose some or all of their survivor benefit if they marry or earn income over the maximum set by the Social Security Administration each year. The cash benefits received for a child must be used specifically for their care; expenses such as education expenses, clothing, and food all qualify. Document how you’re using your child’s cash benefits because the Social Security Administration may require proof.
For more information or to learn about the survivor benefits available to you and your family, contact Social Security at 800-772-1213 or visit your local Social Security office in person to learn more. Survivor benefit claims cannot be processed online.
