Can a Surviving Spouse Collect Two Social Security Checks? No, But There's a Best-of-Both-Worlds Strategy

According to the Social Security Administration, approximately 5.8 million people receive survivor benefits each month. If you are one of these individuals, you cannot receive both your deceased spouse's full Social Security check and your own; however, a surviving spouse can collect two Social Security benefits in a combined payment if the survivor benefit is higher than their own retirement benefit, or they can strategically switch between benefits to maximize their lifetime income.

Quick Summary

A surviving spouse cannot receive two full Social Security checks simultaneously but will be paid the higher of their own retirement benefit or the survivor benefit. Strategic claiming at different ages can maximize total lifetime income.

Key Points

• Single Payment for Dually Entitled Individuals: A person eligible for both retirement and survivor benefits will only receive the higher of the two amounts, paid as a single, combined check.

• Claiming Strategy Flexibility: Surviving spouses have more flexibility than others, allowing them to collect one benefit early and switch to the higher-paying one later.

• Retirement Benefit Growth: You can take a reduced survivor benefit as early as age 60 while your own retirement benefit continues to grow up to age 70.

• Survivor Benefit Growth: Survivor benefits reach their maximum at your specific full retirement age (FRA) for survivors and do not earn delayed retirement credits.

• Remarriage After Age 60: Remarrying after age 60 does not prevent you from continuing to receive survivor benefits based on a former spouse's record.

• Divorced Spouse Eligibility: A surviving divorced spouse may qualify for benefits based on a former spouse's record, provided the marriage lasted at least 10 years.

Understanding Social Security's Dual Entitlement Rule

The Social Security Administration (SSA) operates under a “dual entitlement” rule, which dictates that a person eligible for both a worker's retirement benefit and an auxiliary benefit, such as a spousal or survivor benefit, will only receive the higher of the two amounts. In the case of a surviving spouse, this means you will receive your own retirement benefit plus an amount from the survivor benefit to make up the difference, totaling the larger of the two payments. This prevents a surviving spouse from receiving both full checks at once.

Strategic Claiming: The Smartest Path for Survivors

For surviving spouses, especially those under age 70, a strategic claiming approach can significantly increase total lifetime benefits. Unlike non-surviving spouses, you have the flexibility to switch between benefit types under certain conditions. The ideal strategy depends on which benefit will ultimately be higher: your own benefit at age 70 or your maximum survivor benefit {Link: T. Rowe Price https://www.troweprice.com/personal-investing/resources/insights/what-a-surviving-spouse-should-know-before-claiming-social-security-benefits.html}.

For surviving spouses under their full retirement age (FRA), claiming early can result in a permanently reduced monthly payment. If you work while collecting survivor benefits and are below your FRA, your benefits may be temporarily reduced due to the Social Security earnings limit. This withheld income is not permanently lost and will be factored back into your benefit amount once you reach your FRA.

Comparison of Benefits for a Surviving Spouse

Feature	Own Retirement Benefit	Survivor Benefit
Eligibility Basis	Based on your lifetime earnings record and Social Security credits.	Based on your deceased spouse's lifetime earnings record.
Maximum Benefit	100% of your primary insurance amount (PIA) at your full retirement age (FRA). Can increase up to 8% per year until age 70 with delayed retirement credits.	Up to 100% of your deceased spouse's benefit (including any delayed retirement credits) if claimed at your FRA for survivors.
Earliest Claiming Age	Age 62, but benefits will be permanently reduced.	Age 60 (age 50 if disabled), but benefits will be permanently reduced.
Claiming Flexibility	Once claimed, you can suspend your own benefit at FRA to earn delayed retirement credits until age 70.	You can claim a survivor benefit and later switch to your higher retirement benefit, or vice versa, at strategic ages.
Divorced Eligibility	Based on your own record regardless of marital status.	Eligible if married to the deceased for at least 10 years and are currently unmarried (unless remarried after age 60).

The Remarriage Rule

Remarriage rules for surviving spouses have some flexibility. If you remarry after age 60 (or age 50 if disabled), it does not affect your eligibility for survivor benefits. Remarrying before age 60 generally makes you ineligible unless that marriage ends.

Conclusion

While the answer to can a surviving spouse collect two Social Security checks? is no, understanding the dual entitlement rule and strategic claiming options is crucial for maximizing benefits. Surviving spouses have the flexibility to choose when to claim each benefit type, allowing for potential growth of one while receiving the other. By strategically claiming a reduced survivor benefit early or switching between benefits at different ages, survivors can optimize their lifetime income. Consulting with the SSA or a financial advisor is recommended {Link: T. Rowe Price https://www.troweprice.com/personal-investing/resources/insights/what-a-surviving-spouse-should-know-before-claiming-social-security-benefits.html}.

Visit the official Social Security Administration website for a comprehensive guide to Survivors Benefits

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't a surviving spouse collect two full Social Security checks?

The Social Security Administration's “dual entitlement” rule prevents receiving two full benefits simultaneously. The SSA will only pay the higher of the two amounts for which you are eligible.

How does the SSA calculate my benefit if I am eligible for both a retirement and survivor benefit?

If your survivor benefit is higher than your own retirement benefit, you will receive your own retirement benefit plus an additional amount to match the higher survivor payment. The total will be one payment, equal to the higher amount.

Can I claim a reduced survivor benefit early and switch to my higher retirement benefit later?

Yes. This is a common strategy for surviving spouses. You can claim a reduced survivor benefit as early as age 60 and delay claiming your own retirement benefit until it reaches its maximum at age 70.

At what age can I claim survivor benefits?

You can claim a reduced survivor benefit as early as age 60, or age 50 if you have a disability. Full (unreduced) survivor benefits are available at your full retirement age for survivors.

Does remarriage affect my ability to collect survivor benefits?

Remarrying after age 60 (or age 50 if disabled) will not prevent you from collecting survivor benefits. If you remarry before these ages, you generally become ineligible unless the marriage ends.

Do I need to apply for survivor benefits if I am already receiving benefits based on my own work?

Yes, you should contact the SSA to apply. The SSA will review your eligibility and, if the survivor benefit is higher, will adjust your payment to reflect the larger amount.

What if my spouse died before claiming their Social Security benefits?

The amount of your survivor benefit depends on when your spouse passed away relative to their full retirement age (FRA). It may be based on the amount they would have received at their FRA or at the time of their death, whichever is higher.