How Much Do Widows Get From Social Security?

Social Security survivor benefits provide financial assistance to eligible family members after a worker’s death, helping to replace a portion of the deceased’s income.

Who Qualifies for Survivor Benefits

Eligibility for Social Security survivor benefits depends on the relationship to the deceased worker and their work history. The worker must have earned “work credits” through employment where Social Security taxes were paid. Generally, 40 credits, equivalent to about 10 years of work, are needed. A younger worker may qualify with fewer credits; for instance, a worker who dies at age 26 would need 6 credits earned in the three years preceding death.

Surviving spouses are eligible if they are age 60 or older, or age 50 with a disability. A surviving spouse of any age caring for the deceased’s child (under age 16 or disabled) is also eligible. The marriage must have lasted at least nine months, with exceptions for accidental death or military service. Divorced spouses may also qualify if married for at least 10 years and not remarried before a certain age.

Children can receive benefits if they are unmarried and under age 18, or up to age 19 if full-time elementary or secondary school students. Adult children may also qualify if they became disabled before age 22. Stepchildren, grandchildren, and step-grandchildren may be eligible. Dependent parents, age 62 or older, who received at least half of their support from the deceased worker, are also eligible for benefits.

How Survivor Benefit Amounts Are Determined

The amount of Social Security survivor benefits hinges on the deceased worker’s earnings record, specifically their lifetime average earnings. Higher earnings over their career result in a greater potential benefit amount for survivors. The benefit is calculated based on what the deceased worker would have received at their full retirement age (FRA), known as their Primary Insurance Amount (PIA).

The age at which a survivor claims benefits impacts the monthly amount received. For example, a surviving spouse who claims benefits at their full retirement age can receive 100% of the deceased worker’s benefit amount. If a surviving spouse claims benefits earlier, between age 60 and their full retirement age, the benefit amount will be reduced, ranging from 71.5% to 99% of the deceased’s benefit. A surviving spouse of any age caring for a child under 16 can receive 75% of the worker’s benefit.

A survivor’s own earnings can affect their benefit amount if they are below full retirement age. The Social Security Administration (SSA) applies an annual earnings test, which can reduce benefits if earnings exceed a certain limit. For instance, for individuals under full retirement age, $1 is deducted from benefits for every $2 earned above the annual earnings limit, which is $23,400 in 2025.

There is also a family maximum benefit, which limits the total amount of benefits that can be paid to a family on one worker’s record. This maximum ranges from 150% to 180% of the deceased worker’s PIA. If the total of all individual survivor benefits exceeds this cap, each family member’s payment is reduced proportionally. Survivor benefits, like other Social Security benefits, may increase over time due to Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLAs), which are periodic increases to keep pace with inflation.

Information Needed to Apply

Gathering the necessary information and documents before applying for Social Security survivor benefits is recommended. Applicants need to provide personal identification details for themselves and the deceased worker. This includes the Social Security numbers for both the applicant and the deceased, along with the applicant’s birth certificate.

Proof of death for the deceased worker, such as a death certificate or a statement from a funeral home, is required. If the applicant is a surviving spouse, a marriage certificate is necessary; if applying as a divorced spouse, a divorce decree will be needed. For any children applying, their Social Security numbers and birth certificates are also required.

The Social Security Administration will also request information related to the deceased worker’s employment and earnings. This includes the deceased worker’s W-2 forms or federal self-employment tax returns for the most recent year. Applicants should have their bank name, account number, and routing number available for direct deposit of benefits. While it is beneficial to have all documents, the SSA advises against delaying an application if some documents are not immediately available, as they can assist in obtaining them.

The Application Process

Once all required information and documents are collected, individuals can initiate the application for Social Security survivor benefits. Unlike some other Social Security applications, survivor benefits cannot be applied for online. Applications are primarily taken by phone or in person at a local Social Security office.

To apply by phone, individuals can call the Social Security Administration’s national toll-free number. Representatives are available Monday through Friday during business hours. For those preferring an in-person application, scheduling an appointment at a local Social Security office can help reduce wait times. When attending an in-person appointment, bring all prepared documents.

After the application is submitted, the SSA will process the claim, verifying the provided information and determining eligibility. Applicants should anticipate potential follow-up requests from the SSA for additional details or clarification. Decisions on applications are communicated directly to the applicant, and processing times can vary. It is important to apply promptly, as benefits may be paid from the time of application, not necessarily from the date of death.

Coordinating Survivor Benefits with Other Social Security Benefits

Individuals may be eligible for more than one type of Social Security benefit, such as their own retirement or disability benefits, in addition to survivor benefits. This situation is referred to as dual entitlement. The Social Security Administration pays the higher of the two benefits if an individual qualifies for both. The two benefit amounts are not added together; instead, the individual receives the larger of the calculated amounts.

A strategic approach involves claiming one benefit early and then switching to the other at a later age to maximize overall lifetime income. For example, a surviving spouse might claim survivor benefits as early as age 60, then switch to their own retirement benefit at age 70 if their work record yields a higher monthly payment due to delayed retirement credits. Conversely, if an individual’s own retirement benefit will not exceed the survivor benefit, they might claim their own retirement benefit first and allow the survivor benefit to grow until full retirement age for survivors.

If a person is already receiving spousal benefits based on their spouse’s work record, the SSA will automatically convert these payments to survivor benefits upon notification of the spouse’s death. However, if an individual is receiving benefits based on their own work record, they will need to apply separately for survivor benefits to determine if they are eligible for a higher amount. Certain situations involving government pensions can impact Social Security benefits, including survivor benefits, for those who worked in jobs not covered by Social Security.