Who Can Get Social Security Survivors Benefits?

Social Security survivors benefits provide financial support to eligible family members of a deceased worker. The program aims to offer a financial cushion to families after the loss of a loved one who contributed to the Social Security system. It helps to replace a portion of the deceased worker’s earnings, assisting beneficiaries with ongoing living expenses.

General Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility for any Social Security survivors benefit hinges on the deceased worker’s contributions to the Social Security system. Workers earn “work credits” by paying Social Security taxes on their earnings. In 2025, one credit is earned for every $1,810 in covered earnings, with a maximum of four credits obtainable per year.

A worker is generally considered “fully insured” for benefits, including survivors benefits, if they have accumulated 40 work credits, which typically corresponds to 10 years of work. However, the number of credits required for survivors benefits can vary based on the worker’s age at the time of death. Younger workers may need fewer credits; for instance, a special rule allows benefits if the worker had 6 credits (1.5 years of work) in the 3 years preceding their death.

Eligibility for Spouses and Divorced Spouses

A surviving spouse may qualify for benefits under specific conditions related to their age or parental responsibilities. A widow or widower can begin receiving benefits as early as age 60, or at age 50 if they have a qualifying disability that began within seven years of the worker’s death. There is also a provision for a surviving spouse of any age if they are caring for the deceased worker’s child who is under age 16 or has a disability and is receiving Social Security benefits. The marriage must have lasted at least nine months before the worker’s death.

Divorced spouses can also be eligible for survivors benefits, provided certain criteria are met. The marriage must have lasted for at least 10 years. The divorced spouse must generally be age 60 or older, or age 50 if disabled, and must not have remarried before age 60 (or age 50 if disabled). An exception to the remarriage rule applies if the remarriage occurred after age 60, or after age 50 if disabled. Benefits received by a divorced spouse do not reduce the benefits of other survivors on the deceased worker’s record.

Eligibility for Children

Children of a deceased worker can receive survivors benefits if they are unmarried and meet specific age or disability requirements. This includes biological children, legally adopted children, stepchildren, and in some cases, dependent grandchildren.

Stepchildren can qualify if they were living with or receiving at least half of their support from the deceased worker. Dependent grandchildren may also be eligible if their parents are deceased or disabled, and they were receiving at least half of their support from the deceased grandparent. Generally, benefits for children continue until they turn 18, or up to age 19 if they are still attending elementary or secondary school full-time. Children of any age can receive benefits if they have a disability that began before age 22 and continue to meet the Social Security Administration’s definition of disability.

Eligibility for Parents

Parents of a deceased worker may be eligible for survivors benefits under specific circumstances. To qualify, a parent must be at least 62 years old. A primary condition is that the parent must have been receiving at least one-half of their financial support from the deceased worker at the time of their death. The parent must also generally be unmarried. If there are two eligible dependent parents, each may receive a percentage of the deceased worker’s basic benefit.

Preparing to Apply for Benefits

Gathering the necessary information and documents before applying for Social Security survivors benefits is advisable.

• Deceased worker’s full name, Social Security number, date and place of birth, and date and place of death.
• Military service information (Form DD-214).
• Names and dates of employers for the last two years.
• Your Social Security number, date and place of birth.
• Social Security numbers and dates of birth for any other family members applying.
• Bank account information for direct deposit.
• Deceased’s death certificate.
• Marriage certificates for spouses.
• Divorce decrees for divorced spouses.
• Children’s birth certificates, adoption papers, or proof of school enrollment for those over 18.
• Medical records for disabled applicants.

Do not delay contacting the Social Security Administration if you do not have every document immediately available.