Social Security survivor benefits: what a widow, widower or child can get

Who can get survivor benefits

Social Security lists spouses, ex-spouses, children and dependent parents of someone who worked and paid Social Security taxes.

Widows and widowers

• Age 60 or older, or 50 to 59 with a disability, and
• married for at least 9 months before the spouse's death, and
• did not remarry before 60 (50 with a disability).

You might be eligible regardless of age or how long you were married. Social Security's common example is caring for a child of the person who died. Ex-spouses who were married at least 10 years may also be eligible.

Children

Unmarried children who are 17 or younger, 18 or 19 and in school full time through grade 12, or any age with a disability that began at 21 or younger. In some cases married children, stepchildren, adopted children, grandchildren and step-grandchildren can be paid too.

Dependent parents

Parents 62 or older who were financially supported by the child who died.

Survivor benefits and your own benefit

If you are eligible for a survivor benefit and another benefit, such as your own retirement benefit, you choose the payment that is best; they are not added together. Social Security notes you can switch later. Its example: start with survivor benefits, then change to your own retirement benefit at 70, when that payment is highest.

Your own retirement benefit grows when you delay it; the claiming age guide shows how much at each age, which helps when comparing the two.

The family maximum

There is a limit to how much a family can receive on one worker's record. Social Security may lower everyone's payments to stay under it. Ex-spouses do not count toward the family maximum.

Earnings limits

Survivors younger than full retirement age who work may have their payment temporarily reduced if they earn above the yearly limit. The earnings limit calculator has the 2027 amounts.

Medicare

You might also get Medicare based on the deceased worker's record if you are 65 or older, or have a disability or end-stage renal disease.

Getting an estimate

Social Security gives survivor estimates by phone at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), and asks for the Social Security number of the family member who died.