When a husband or wife dies, the household usually loses one Social Security check. But the surviving spouse may be entitled to a survivor benefit based on the late spouse’s work record, and in many cases it is worth more than their own benefit.
How much you receive depends mainly on two things: how much your spouse was receiving (or was entitled to), and your age when you claim. This guide explains the amounts at each age, who qualifies and the choices that can make a big difference over the rest of your life.
Who qualifies
In most cases, you can receive survivor benefits as a widow or widower if:
- You are 60 or older, or 50 or older and disabled, or any age if you are caring for the late spouse’s child who is under 16 or disabled; and
- You were married for at least nine months before your spouse died (exceptions apply for accidental death and death in military service); and
- You did not remarry before age 60 (or before 50 if disabled). Remarrying after 60 does not end survivor benefits.
Divorced spouses can also qualify if the marriage lasted at least 10 years, under similar age and remarriage rules.
How much you get at each age
A survivor who waits until their own full retirement age for survivors receives 100% of the late spouse’s benefit. Claiming earlier reduces it, down to 71.5% at 60.
Full retirement age for survivors is slightly different from the regular retirement age. It rises gradually from 66 for people born in 1956 or earlier to 67 for those born in 1962 or later.
| Age when you claim | Survivor full retirement age of 66 | Survivor full retirement age of 67 |
| 60 | 71.5% | 71.5% |
| 61 | about 76.2% | about 75.6% |
| 62 | about 81.0% | about 79.6% |
| 63 | about 85.8% | about 83.7% |
| 64 | about 90.5% | about 87.8% |
| 65 | about 95.2% | about 91.9% |
| 66 | 100% | about 95.9% |
| 67 | 100% | 100% |
Percentages are our calculation of the monthly reduction between 71.5% at 60 and 100% at survivor full retirement age, consistent with the Social Security Administration’s published ranges. Your exact amount will be in your SSA notice.
Unlike your own retirement benefit, the survivor benefit does not grow if you wait past full retirement age. There is no reason to delay the survivor benefit beyond that point.
What “the late spouse’s benefit” means
The starting point depends on what your spouse did:
- If your spouse was already collecting, the base is generally the amount they were receiving.
- If your spouse delayed claiming past full retirement age, the base includes those delayed retirement credits, which can be worth up to 24% or more. This is one of the strongest reasons for the higher earner in a couple to delay.
- If your spouse claimed early, the survivor benefit is capped, but it will be at least 82.5% of what your spouse would have received at full retirement age. This is sometimes called the widow’s limit.
- If your spouse died before claiming, the benefit is based on what they were entitled to at death.
You get one check, not two
If you are already collecting your own retirement benefit, you will not get both. Social Security pays the higher of your own benefit or the survivor benefit.
For example, if your own benefit is $1,500 a month and your late husband’s was $2,400, you would receive $2,400 (if you are at survivor full retirement age), not $3,900. The household loses the $1,500 check.
This is a major adjustment for most couples. In a typical case, household Social Security income falls by roughly a third to a half, while costs like housing stay the same.
A worked example
Linda is 62 when her husband Tom dies. Tom delayed claiming until 70 and was receiving $3,100 a month. Linda’s own benefit would be $1,300 at 62 or about $2,300 at 70. Her survivor full retirement age is 67.
- If Linda claims the survivor benefit now, at 62, she receives about 79.6% of $3,100, or roughly $2,470 a month.
- If she waits until 67, she receives the full $3,100.
- Because Tom’s benefit is larger than anything she can earn on her own record, switching to her own benefit later would not help.
Here, the decision comes down to cash flow. If Linda can manage until 67, her monthly income will be about $630 higher for life.
The switching strategy
Because survivor benefits and your own retirement benefit are separate, you can sometimes take one first and switch to the other later.
- Take the survivor benefit early, then switch to your own at 70. Useful if your own benefit, with delayed retirement credits, will be larger than the survivor benefit. You collect survivor payments while your own benefit grows by 8% a year past full retirement age.
- Take your own benefit early, then switch to the full survivor benefit at survivor full retirement age. Useful if the survivor benefit at 100% will be the larger amount.
Social Security staff are required to explain your options, but they may not suggest the best order for you. Ask directly about both approaches, and ask them to put the amounts in writing.
Working while collecting survivor benefits
If you claim survivor benefits before full retirement age and keep working, the earnings test applies. If your wages go above the annual limit, Social Security temporarily withholds part of your benefit. Withheld amounts are not lost for good; your benefit is recalculated at full retirement age. Earnings no longer matter once you reach full retirement age.
The one-time $255 payment
Social Security pays a one-time death payment of $255 to a surviving spouse who was living with the deceased, or who was receiving benefits on their record. It must be requested within two years.
Other family members who may qualify
- Children under 18 (or up to 19 if still in high school), or disabled before 22, can receive up to 75% of the parent’s benefit.
- A surviving spouse caring for a child under 16 or disabled can receive 75% at any age.
- Dependent parents 62 or older who relied on the worker for at least half their support may qualify.
A family maximum limits the total paid on one worker’s record.
How to apply
Survivor benefits cannot be applied for online. You need to call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or visit a local office. Funeral homes often report the death, but you still need to apply for benefits.
Have these ready:
- Proof of death (a death certificate)
- Your Social Security number and your spouse’s
- Your birth certificate and marriage certificate (or divorce decree, for divorced spouses)
- Your spouse’s most recent W-2s or tax return if they were working
- Your bank account information for direct deposit
If you were already receiving spousal benefits on your spouse’s record, Social Security generally converts you to survivor benefits automatically once the death is reported.
Important: payment for the month of death
Social Security benefits are paid a month behind. The payment received in the month after death, which covers the month the person died, is not due and must be returned. Banks often return it automatically. Knowing this in advance avoids an unpleasant surprise.
If you are in your 40s or 50s
Survivor rules shape the best claiming strategy for couples. If your parents are married, the higher earner’s decision about when to claim will set the survivor’s income for the rest of their life. It is worth raising with them before they file.
Frequently asked questions
How much Social Security does a widow get? Between 71.5% and 100% of the late spouse’s benefit, depending on the age when the widow claims. At survivor full retirement age, it is 100%.
Can I get my spouse’s Social Security and my own? No. You receive the larger of the two.
Can I remarry and keep survivor benefits? Yes, if you remarry after age 60 (or after 50 if you are disabled).
Can a divorced spouse get survivor benefits? Yes, if the marriage lasted at least 10 years and the other rules are met. It does not reduce benefits paid to a current widow or widower.
Sources
- Social Security Administration, Survivors benefits and “What you could get from Survivor benefits”
- Social Security Administration blog, “What You Should Know About Social Security if Your Spouse Passes Away” (May 2025)
- AARP, “Social Security When a Spouse Dies” (December 2025)
- Social Security Administration Program Operations Manual System (widow’s limit)
Your exact benefit depends on your spouse’s earnings record and claiming history. Confirm with the Social Security Administration. This article is general information, not financial advice.
