Can I Collect Survivor Benefits and My Own Social Security?

Many individuals wonder if they can receive both Social Security survivor benefits and their own earned retirement benefits. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has specific rules for those eligible for more than one type of benefit. Understanding these rules helps in making informed decisions about benefit claims, as the process involves particular considerations regarding how benefits are calculated and disbursed.

Types of Social Security Benefits and Eligibility

Social Security offers different types of benefits, each with distinct eligibility criteria. Your own retirement benefits are based on your personal work record and contributions made through payroll taxes. To qualify, you must earn a certain number of work credits. In 2025, you earn one credit for every $1,810 of earnings, up to four credits per year; most individuals need 40 credits, or about 10 years of work. You can begin receiving retirement benefits as early as age 62, though the monthly amount is permanently reduced if claimed before your full retirement age, which is between 66 and 67 depending on your birth year.

Survivor benefits are paid to eligible family members of a deceased worker who earned sufficient Social Security credits, generally 40 credits. Eligible family members include a widow or widower, divorced spouse, minor children, and dependent parents. A surviving spouse can claim benefits as early as age 60, or age 50 if disabled, or at any age if caring for the deceased’s child who is under age 16 or has a disability. Divorced spouses may qualify if the marriage lasted at least 10 years. Children of the deceased worker may be eligible if they are unmarried and under age 18, or under 19 and still in high school, or disabled before age 22.

Receiving Multiple Social Security Benefits

When an individual is eligible for both their own Social Security retirement benefit and a survivor benefit, the Social Security Administration (SSA) generally pays the higher of the two amounts. You receive a single payment that combines the benefits, rather than two separate, full checks. The SSA’s system provides the maximum benefit for which an individual qualifies based on all eligible records.

“Deemed filing” applies differently to spousal benefits and survivor benefits. For spousal benefits, if you file for your own retirement benefit, you are “deemed” to have also filed for any spousal benefits you are eligible for, and the SSA will pay the higher of the two. This rule prevents individuals from claiming a spousal benefit while allowing their own retirement benefit to grow through delayed claiming.

However, the deemed filing rule does not apply to survivor benefits. This means a surviving spouse, for example, can choose to claim survivor benefits first, allowing their own retirement benefit to continue to grow until a later age, such as their full retirement age or age 70. Conversely, they could claim their own retirement benefits first and switch to the survivor benefit later if it becomes higher. This flexibility provides an opportunity to maximize lifetime benefits.

Calculating Your Combined Benefit

Determining the precise amount you will receive when eligible for both retirement and survivor benefits involves specific calculations. The foundation for both benefit types is the Primary Insurance Amount (PIA), which is the monthly benefit a person would receive if they claim their retirement benefits at their full retirement age. Your own retirement benefit is calculated based on your average indexed monthly earnings (AIME) over your 35 highest-earning years. This AIME is then subjected to a progressive formula with “bend points” to determine your PIA, with reductions applied if benefits are claimed before your full retirement age.

Survivor benefits are calculated based on the deceased worker’s PIA. A surviving spouse at their full retirement age receives 100% of the deceased worker’s PIA. If claimed earlier, between age 60 and full retirement age, the survivor benefit can range from 71.5% to 99% of the deceased worker’s PIA. Children receive 75% of the deceased worker’s PIA.

When eligible for both, the Social Security Administration does not simply add the two amounts together. Instead, the SSA compares your calculated retirement benefit with the calculated survivor benefit. If your own retirement benefit is lower than the survivor benefit you are entitled to, the SSA will pay your retirement benefit plus an additional amount from the survivor benefit to reach the higher survivor benefit total. Conversely, if your own retirement benefit is higher, you will receive your own retirement benefit, and the survivor benefit will not add to it.

The “family maximum” rule can limit the total amount of benefits paid on a single worker’s record. This maximum ranges from 150% to 188% of the deceased worker’s PIA for retirement and survivor benefits. If multiple family members are claiming benefits on the same work record, the total combined payments might be reduced to fit within this family maximum, potentially affecting individual benefit amounts.

The Application Process

Applying for Social Security benefits, whether retirement or survivor, involves several steps. You can apply online through the Social Security Administration’s website, by calling their national toll-free number, or by visiting a local Social Security office. While online application is convenient for retirement benefits, survivor benefits may require an in-person or phone application due to specific documentation needs like a death certificate.

When applying, you will need to provide various documents and information. These include:
Your Social Security card.
Your birth certificate or other proof of age.
Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful alien status if not born in the U.S.
For retirement benefits, information about your work history, such as W-2 forms or self-employment tax returns for the previous year.
For survivor benefits, the deceased worker’s death certificate and proof of your relationship (e.g., marriage certificate or birth certificate).
Your bank account information for direct deposit of benefits.

After submitting your application, the Social Security Administration reviews the information and documents provided. The SSA may contact you for additional details or clarification. You will receive notification of their decision by mail. Processing times for retirement and survivor claims are often two to four weeks if all necessary documentation is complete and accurate, though complex cases or missing information can extend this. Do not delay applying even if you do not have all documents immediately, as the SSA can assist in obtaining them, and delaying could result in lost benefits.