What your spouse can expect in Social Security benefits after you pass

By SimplyWise

After the passing of a worker, the Social Security Administration (SSA) provides both a one-time death benefit as well as ongoing monthly survivors benefits (sometimes called ‘widows benefits’) for family members of deceased workers. This lump sum payment and monthly paycheck provide a critical source of income following the death of a spouse or parent. Six million family members receive survivors benefits, which function almost like a life insurance policy.

As with retirement benefits, there are choices to be made about claiming survivors benefits. Read on to learn how to navigate your options so you can make the most of what you are owed.

What are SS survivor benefits?

Social Security survivor benefits are available to spouses, ex-spouses, children and dependent parents of someone who worked and paid into the Social Security system. The amount depends on 1) the beneficiary’s age, 2) their relationship to the deceased, and 3) the lifetime earnings of the deceased. The more the deceased worker earned, the higher the survivor benefits will be.

Survivors can collect up to 100% of their deceased spouse’s benefit. However, the surviving spouse must be at least full retirement age to claim 100%. If you are already receiving spousal benefits when your spouse dies, the SSA will automatically convert your benefits to survivors benefits, after the death is reported. Note that you cannot receive both spousal and survivors benefits at the same time. And, as with Social Security spousal benefits, you cannot simply add together your survivor benefit and retirement benefit. Instead, Social Security pays you the higher of the two amounts.

Social Security survivors benefits eligibility

To qualify for survivors benefits, you must be one of the following:

• Widow or widower, age 60 or older (age 50 if you are disabled), who was married to the deceased for at least nine months, and did not remarry before 60
• Widow or widower at any age who is caring for a deceased worker’s child who is younger than age 16 or disabled
• Divorced spouse of the deceased (as long as the marriage lasted at least 10 years, and the claiming spouse did not remarry before 60)
• Minor or disabled child
• Stepchild or grandchild of the deceased (in some cases)
• Dependent parent of the deceased age 62 or older (in some cases)

The worker who passed away must have paid into the Social Security system during his or her career. Workers earn up to four credits a year (in 2020, $1,410 in income equals one credit). Once a worker has earned 40 credits, his or her family is fully insured under the program. However, for families of workers who have less than 40 credits, it is still possible to qualify for some survivors benefits.

How are survivor benefits calculated?

Survivor benefits are based on a deceased worker's earnings. That amount will vary depending on what age the deceased had claimed their benefits.

If a survivor claims these benefits before their survivors full retirement age, the benefits are reduced by a percentage based on birth year and the number of months until full retirement age. The percentage of benefits survivors can receive based on their age and their relationship to the deceased worker is as follows:

• A widow, widower or eligible divorced spouse, at survivors full retirement age or older: 100%
• A widow, widower, or eligible divorced spouse, age 60+, but younger than survivors full retirement age: 71% to 99%
• A disabled widow, widower, or eligible divorced spouse, aged 50-59: 71.5%
• A widow, widower, or eligible divorced spouse, any age, with a child younger than age 16, or a disabled child: 75%
• An unmarried child younger than age 18 (or 19 if in high school): 75%
• Dependent parents, aged 62+: 82.5% for one surviving parent; 75% each for two surviving parents

The average monthly survivors benefit for a spouse (who is not disabled and not raising minor children) is $1,431.  Like all Social Security benefits, survivor benefits may increase year to year based on the cost of living.

Lump sum death benefit

In addition to monthly survivor benefits, the SSA provides a lump sum death benefit of $255 to a worker’s surviving spouse or children. To be eligible, you must have lived with the worker at the time of their death. If you weren’t living together, you must have already been receiving benefits based on the worker’s record or have become eligible for benefits on their record following their death.

If there is not an eligible living spouse, this one-time benefit can be paid to the worker’s child if 1) the child was already receiving benefits on the worker’s record in the month the worker died, or 2) the child became eligible for survivors benefits following the worker’s passing.

How to maximize survivor benefits

The survivor benefit amount depends on whether both the deceased worker and the survivor had already started collecting benefits. Generally, the longer you wait to claim benefits (up to full retirement age), the larger they will be. So if you can afford to, delaying can pay off.

If you have your own earned retirement benefit, there are also strategies to maximize the two benefits. Remember: you cannot just add together your survivor benefit and your own retirement benefit. Instead, Social Security will pay you the higher of the two. However, you can receive one benefit for a time and later file for the other. If your own retirement benefit would grow to be more at 70 than your survivors benefit, you could claim your survivors benefit first, and later switch to your own. If you’re already receiving retirement benefits and the survivors benefit would be larger, you can switch to survivors benefits. And if you became eligible for retirement benefits within the last 12 months and suffered the loss of ability and support to the family after the passing of a spouse or parents. a spouse, you might be able to withdraw your retirement application and instead apply for survivors benefits—then reapply for retirement benefits later, when they will be worth more.

The bottom line

Social Security can be confusing to navigate. Yet understanding what you are owed can provide stability and support, particularly after the passing of a loved one. That income can give workers and their families some peace of mind both before and after a loss.

When you’re ready, use a Social Security calculator to determine your benefits, and talk to experts to ensure you maximize the benefits you’re owed.  

With a comprehensive understanding of how Social Security works, you can navigate the next chapter with financial confidence.