Eligibility for a Surviving Spouse's Benefit
To qualify for survivor benefits, a surviving spouse must meet specific criteria from the Social Security Administration. Eligibility is typically for long-term marriages, but can also apply to divorced spouses and those caring for dependent children.
Qualifying Conditions
- Age: A surviving spouse can claim reduced benefits as early as age 60, or age 50 if disabled.
- Caring for a child: Benefits can be received at any age if caring for the deceased's child who is under 16 or has a disability.
- Divorced Spouses: Eligibility is possible if the marriage lasted at least 10 years, and it won't affect benefits for the worker’s current spouse.
- Remarriage: Generally, remarrying before age 60 (or 50 if disabled) stops eligibility. Remarrying after age 60 (or 50 if disabled) does not.
How Your Benefit is Calculated
Survivor benefits are based on the deceased spouse's earnings history, specifically a percentage of their primary insurance amount (PIA)—the full amount they were entitled to at their full retirement age (FRA).
Factors Affecting Your Payment Amount
- Claiming Age: The age you apply significantly impacts the percentage received; claiming earlier results in a lower monthly payment.
- Deceased's Filing Age: If the deceased claimed retirement benefits before their own FRA, the survivor benefit will be reduced.
- Working while Claiming: If you are below your own FRA and working, your benefits may be reduced if your earnings exceed a limit.
- Maximum Family Benefit: A cap exists on the total benefits paid to a family on one worker's record, which can affect amounts for other family members.
Claiming Strategies to Maximize Benefits
Choosing when to claim benefits is important for maximizing lifetime benefits. Widows have the flexibility to switch between benefit types.
The "Restricted Application" Strategy
A surviving spouse can file a restricted application to claim one type of benefit while allowing another to grow. If your personal retirement benefit is smaller than your potential survivor benefit, you could:
- Claim your smaller retirement benefit early (as early as age 62). This provides income while your larger survivor benefit grows.
- Switch to your larger survivor benefit later. Claim at your own FRA to receive 100% of the deceased's benefit.
This strategy is useful if your own retirement benefit is less than the survivor benefit. If your own retirement benefit is larger, the Social Security Administration will pay the higher amount for which you are eligible.
Remarriage Considerations
Remarriage rules are important. Remarrying before age 60 generally means losing eligibility for survivor benefits from a previous spouse's record, though eligibility can be regained if that marriage ends. Remarrying after age 60 allows you to still collect benefits on your former spouse's record, and you might switch to a new spouse's record if it offers a higher benefit.
Comparison of Survivor Benefit Percentages
The table below shows the percentage of the deceased worker's benefit a surviving spouse is eligible for, based on claiming age (assuming the worker claimed at or after FRA).
| Age at Claiming | Percentage of Deceased's Basic Benefit |
|---|---|
| Any age, caring for child < 16 | 75% |
| Age 50-59, disabled | 71.5% |
| Age 60 | 71.5% |
| Age 62 | ~79.6% |
| Age 65 | ~90% |
| Full Retirement Age (FRA) | 100% |
The Lump-Sum Death Payment
A one-time lump-sum death payment of $255 is available. It's usually paid to the surviving spouse who lived with the deceased, or to eligible children if there's no eligible spouse. You must apply within two years of the death.
How to Apply for Survivor Benefits
Survivor benefits applications must be made by phone or in person at a Social Security office; online application is not available. Report the death to Social Security promptly, as the date you contact them can impact benefit start dates.
For more information and to start the application process, visit the official Social Security Administration website: Social Security Survivors Benefits.
Conclusion
Understanding Social Security survivor benefits is a crucial financial step after the death of a spouse. The benefit amount is influenced by factors like your age at claiming. By knowing the eligibility rules, how benefits are calculated, and available claiming strategies, a surviving spouse can make informed decisions to enhance their financial security. Contact the Social Security Administration for personalized advice.
