Can I Get Survivor Benefits and My Own Social Security?

Social Security provides a financial safety net for millions of Americans, offering various types of benefits designed to support individuals and families during different life stages. While many are familiar with retirement benefits, the system also includes provisions for survivors, offering financial assistance to eligible family members after a worker’s death. It is possible for an individual to qualify for more than one type of Social Security benefit, such as both survivor benefits and their own earned retirement benefits. Understanding how Social Security navigates these situations is important for individuals planning their financial future.

Eligibility for Survivor and Retirement Benefits

Social Security survivor benefits provide a financial lifeline to qualifying family members of a deceased worker who earned sufficient Social Security credits. Eligibility for these benefits extends to several categories of individuals. A surviving spouse can qualify if they are at least 60 years old (or 50 if disabled), were married to the deceased for at least nine months, and have not remarried before age 60 (or 50 if disabled). A divorced spouse may also be eligible if the marriage lasted 10 years or more, they are at least 60 (or 50 if disabled), and have not remarried before age 60 (or 50 if disabled).

Children can receive survivor benefits if they are unmarried and under 18 (or up to 19 if a full-time elementary or secondary school student). This also includes children of any age who became disabled before age 22. In certain situations, dependent parents aged 62 or older who were financially supported by the deceased worker may also be eligible for benefits. The deceased worker generally needs 40 Social Security credits, which typically equates to 10 years of work, to provide benefits for their survivors, though fewer credits may be required if they died at a younger age.

For individuals to qualify for their own Social Security retirement benefits, they must accumulate 40 work credits by working and paying Social Security taxes, which means working for at least 10 years to be “fully insured.” The amount of retirement benefits an individual receives is influenced by their Full Retirement Age (FRA), the age at which they can receive 100% of their primary insurance amount. For those born in 1960 or later, FRA is 67.

How Social Security Handles Dual Entitlement

When an individual is eligible for both Social Security retirement benefits based on their own work record and survivor benefits based on a deceased spouse’s record, Social Security does not combine the two amounts. Instead, the system operates under a “higher of the two” rule, meaning the individual will receive a payment equal to the larger of the two benefit amounts, not the sum of both.

A key concept in this coordination is “deemed filing.” If an individual files for either a spousal or survivor benefit before their Full Retirement Age, they are generally “deemed” to have filed for all benefits they are eligible for at that time, including their own retirement benefit. This typically means they will receive the higher of the two benefits, with reductions applied if claiming early. However, survivor benefits have a unique feature: it is often possible to claim survivor benefits first and allow one’s own retirement benefit to continue growing until age 70, when it reaches its maximum. At that point, the individual can then switch to their own higher retirement benefit if it surpasses the survivor benefit.

This strategy allows individuals to receive some income from Social Security while their own earned benefit accrues delayed retirement credits. The Social Security Administration ensures individuals receive the highest amount they qualify for from either their own record or a survivor’s record, but not a duplicate payment.

Factors Influencing Benefit Amounts

Several factors directly impact the monthly amount received from both survivor and retirement benefits. The age at which benefits are claimed plays a significant role. Claiming one’s own retirement benefits before Full Retirement Age (FRA) results in a permanent reduction, while delaying benefits past FRA (up to age 70) earns delayed retirement credits, increasing the monthly payment. Claiming survivor benefits before the survivor’s own FRA will also result in a reduced benefit amount, typically ranging from 71.5% to 99% of the deceased’s benefit, with 100% available at the survivor’s FRA.

The Social Security earnings test can temporarily reduce or withhold benefits if an individual works and earns above certain limits while receiving benefits and before reaching their FRA. This test applies to both retirement and survivor benefits. For 2025, if an individual is under FRA for the entire year, $1 in benefits is deducted for every $2 earned above $23,400. In the year an individual reaches FRA, a higher limit applies ($62,160 in 2025), with $1 deducted for every $3 earned above this amount, but only for earnings prior to the month of reaching FRA.

The amount of a survivor benefit is primarily based on the deceased worker’s earnings record and their Primary Insurance Amount (PIA), which is the full benefit amount the deceased would have received at their own FRA. An individual’s own retirement benefit amount is determined by their own earnings record, specifically their average indexed monthly earnings (AIME) over their 35 highest-earning years. Higher lifetime earnings generally result in a higher PIA and a higher retirement benefit.

Applying for Benefits

Applying for Social Security benefits requires careful attention and timely submission of necessary documentation. Before initiating an application, individuals should gather all required information. This typically includes:
Their Social Security number
Original birth certificate or a certified copy
Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful alien status
For survivor benefits, the deceased worker’s Social Security number and death certificate
Recent W-2 forms or self-employment tax returns
Marriage certificates and, if applicable, divorce decrees for any prior marriages

Individuals have several options for submitting their application. Retirement benefits can be applied for online through the Social Security Administration’s website, by phone, or in person at a local Social Security office. For survivor benefits, applications currently cannot be submitted online and must be completed by phone or in person.

During the application process, it is important to provide accurate and complete information, clearly indicating eligibility for multiple benefit types if applicable. If any documents are missing, individuals should still apply, as delaying the application could mean losing potential benefits; the SSA can often assist in obtaining necessary records or allow submission later. After applying, processing times can vary; retirement applications are typically approved within six weeks, while survivor applications may take two to three months. The SSA communicates decisions and provides information on benefit payments, which are generally issued monthly.