Social Security survivor benefits: What you'll get and how to apply

Social Security survivor benefits are payments to family members of someone who died and earned enough work credits to qualify for Social Security. The death of a loved one can leave a financial void on top of a huge loss, but survivor benefits can replace part of the person’s income.

Key takeaways

• Survivor benefits are Social Security payments based on the earnings record of someone who died.

• Spouses, ex-spouses, children younger than 18 or 19, adult children with disabilities, and even dependent parents may qualify for survivor benefits.

• Survivor benefits are typically between 71.5% and 100% of the worker’s full benefit.

• You’ll need to apply for survivor benefits in person or by phone, as Social Security doesn’t offer an online survivor application.

What are Social Security survivor benefits?

Workers typically need at least 10 years of work to be eligible for a Social Security retirement benefit. But Social Security adjusts its formula for people who die at a relatively young age, making it possible for their loved ones to get survivor benefits even if they didn’t work 10 years.

You may qualify for survivor benefits if you’re the spouse, ex-spouse, unmarried child, or parent of the person who died, but the rules vary according to your relationship to the person.

Survivor benefits are typically between 71.5% and 100% of a deceased worker’s primary insurance amount (PIA), or their Social Security benefit at full retirement age (FRA). 

Who is eligible for Social Security survivor benefits?

The following family members may be eligible for Social Security survivor benefits:

• Surviving spouses: If you’re 60 or older (or 50 and disabled) and your marriage lasted at least nine months, you’ll usually qualify for survivor benefits. You may be eligible regardless of age and length of marriage if you’re caring for your late spouse’s qualifying child (i.e., one who’s younger than 16 or has a disability that began before age 22).

• Ex-spouses: You may qualify for divorced spouse survivor benefits if you’re 60 or older (or 50 and disabled), your marriage lasted at least 10 years, and you didn’t remarry before age 60 (or 50 if disabled). You may also be eligible if you care for your former spouse’s qualifying child, no matter what your age or how long the marriage lasted.

• Unmarried children: Unmarried children younger than 18 (or ages 18 or 19 if they’re enrolled in K-12 school full time) and children of any age who have a disability that began before age 22 are often eligible for survivor benefits. 

• Dependent parents: If you depended on an adult child who died, they provided at least half your support, and you’re 62 or older, you may be able to claim survivor benefits.

How much is the Social Security survivor benefit?

The average monthly Social Security survivor benefit was $1,631.39 as of September 2026. Nondisabled spouses and ex-spouses, the most common type of survivor benefit, received $1,930.79 per month on average.

Generally, survivor benefits are 71.5% to 100% of the deceased worker’s PIA. That’s the benefit they were entitled to at full retirement age or the amount they qualified for from their earnings record if they hadn’t claimed Social Security yet. The amount also depends on your relationship to them and, if you’re a surviving spouse, your age when you claim benefits. 

Maximum survivor benefits

Source: Social Security Administration

Survivor benefits are typically subject to a maximum family benefit of 150% to 188% of the worker’s PIA. Benefits for divorced spouses don’t count toward the family maximum, though. Keep in mind that if you’ve already reached full retirement age, Social Security can make up to six months’ worth of payments retroactively.

Surviving spouse benefits by claiming age

Social Security reduces surviving spouse benefits if you claim before full retirement age, which is between age 66 and 67, unless you’re caring for your late spouse’s or ex’s qualifying child. According to the SSA, payments start at 71.5% of your spouse’s benefit (if you claim at 60) and increase the longer you wait to apply. For example, depending on your age, you might get: 

• Over 75% at age 61

• Over 80% at age 63

• Over 90% at age 65

Your late spouse’s Social Security claiming age can also affect widow or widower benefits. If your spouse started Social Security early, you may receive less than their PIA, though if you wait until your full retirement age, you’re entitled to at least 82.5%.

On the flip side, if the deceased worker waited past their FRA to claim, you can receive 100% of their full benefit, plus any delayed retirement credits they earned. Social Security provides a 8% delayed retirement credit for each year a worker delays benefits beyond their FRA, up to age 70.

If you work while claiming survivor benefits before full retirement age, you could receive less money too. That’s because Social Security temporarily withholds part of your benefit if your earnings exceed certain annual limits. For this earnings test, SSA uses the full retirement age for retirement benefits, which can be later than your survivor full retirement age. In 2027, Social Security will withhold the following amounts:

• $1 for every $2 you earn above $25,560 if you’re under FRA for all of 2027 ($24,480 in 2026)

• $1 for every $3 you earn above $67,920 if you reach FRA during 2027 ($65,160 in 2026)

The Social Security death benefit explained

You’ll typically receive a one-time Social Security death benefit of $255 when your spouse dies. (If the amount seems less than generous, that’s because it hasn’t changed since 1954.) 

If the person wasn’t married at the time of their death, their surviving children may be eligible for the benefit if they’re 17 or younger (or 18 or 19 and still in high school) or if they’re permanently disabled. But if someone dies without a spouse or child who’s eligible, Social Security doesn’t pay the one-time death benefit.

How survivor benefits interact with your own Social Security

You may be eligible for both retirement benefits based on your own earnings and a survivor benefit if you’re widowed. Usually, Social Security will pay you the larger of the two, but you can’t combine both benefits.

However, you can claim survivor benefits and switch to your own retirement benefit later. That can be advantageous if you want to earn delayed retirement credits. For example, you could claim survivor benefits at your FRA (or earlier) and then change to retirement payments at age 70, once you’re eligible for the maximum account.

Suppose you qualify for a retirement benefit and a survivor benefit, each of which is $2,000. You could start with the $2,000 survivor payment at your FRA or claim a reduced amount earlier. Then, you could change to your own retirement benefit at age 70. If your FRA were 67, you’d receive 124% of your full benefit, or $2,480.

You’re also allowed to start with your retirement benefit and then transition to survivor payments. You can’t earn delayed retirement credits if you’re claiming survivor benefits. But this strategy can make sense if you qualify for a modest retirement check, but your survivor benefit is significantly higher, especially if you want benefits to start before FRA.

For example, if your PIA is $1,000 and your survivor benefit is $2,000, you could start your own Social Security as soon as you’re eligible at age 62. You’d reduce your benefit by 30%, so you’d collect $700 per month. Once you turn 67, you could switch to survivor benefits and receive the maximum $2,000.

Special eligibility situations

There are a few additional circumstances that could affect survivor benefit eligibility.

Remarriage rules and how age affects eligibility

You won’t qualify for spousal survivor benefits if you remarry before age 60 (or 50 if you’re disabled). The same rules apply if you’re collecting survivor benefits as a divorced spouse. However, once you’re 60 (or 50 if disabled), you can remarry without affecting your survivor benefits.

Regaining eligibility if a later marriage ends

Though you’ll lose survivor benefits if you marry before you’re 60 (or 50 if you have a disability), you’ll regain eligibility if that marriage ends in divorce or death.

Multiple ex-spouses collecting on the same record

You can claim survivor benefits using your ex-spouse’s work history, even if they were married when they died or had multiple ex-spouses. Your survivor benefit doesn’t affect the benefits other surviving spouses, exes, or family members receive on their record. 

Widows and widowers with disabilities

If you’re a widow or widower with a disability, you can qualify for survivor benefits starting at age 50. But you’ll generally need to meet the same criteria required for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and have a disability tand have a disability that began before your spouse died or within seven years afterward. 

How to apply for Social Security survivor benefits

Follow these steps to apply for survivor benefits:

Step 1: Report the death to Social Security if necessary

Funeral homes typically notify Social Security when someone dies, but if you didn’t use a funeral home, you may need to report your spouse’s or loved one’s death. You can do so by calling 800-772-1213 or TTY 800-325-0778.

Step 2: Gather documents

You often need the following to apply for survivor benefits:

• Proof of death from a funeral home or a death certificate

• Your Social Security number and your spouse or family member’s

• Your birth certificate

• Your marriage certificate if you’re a surviving spouse

• Your divorce papers if you’re applying for surviving divorced spouse benefits

• Social Security numbers and birth certificates of dependent children

• W-2 or tax return for the person who died

• Your banking info to set up direct deposit

Step 3: Apply in person or by phone

Unlike with retirement and spousal benefits, Social Security doesn’t allow you to file for survivor benefits online. To apply for survivor benefits, you’ll need to visit a local Social Security office or call the numbers listed in the first step. Even if you can’t find all the documents and information listed in the second step, go ahead and apply. Social Security staff can often help you track down information you need.

If you already receive spousal benefits, Social Security usually converts your payments to survivor benefits automatically, so you won’t need to apply. However, you should still report the death to Social Security to claim the $255 death benefit. 

Step 4: Monitor your application

SSA’s goal is to pay 83% of retirement, survivor, and Medicare claims on time. Timing can vary, so check on the status of your application often after applying. 

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Common mistakes and pitfalls to avoid

Survivor benefits are often a key source of financial stability after the death of a breadwinner. If you’re eligible, avoid these mistakes that could prove costly:

• Claiming too soon: Surviving spouses can start payments at age 60 (or 50 if disabled), but if you claim as soon as you’re eligible, you’ll receive just 71.5% of your full benefit.

• Delaying past your full retirement age. Unlike Social Security retirement, survivor benefits don’t allow you to earn delayed retirement credits for waiting until age 70 to claim. If you wait past your full retirement age (66 or 67, depending on when you were born), you’re leaving money on the table.

• Not switching if you’re entitled to a larger benefit: If you qualify for both a retirement and survivor benefit, you can start with one and switch to the other later. Some beneficiaries opt to start survivor benefits at FRA (or sooner), then switch to retirement payments at age 70 after earning delayed retirement credits. You can also claim your own retirement benefit early and switch to a larger survivor benefit at FRA. While Social Security will automatically switch you from spousal to survivor benefits after the death of your husband or wife, you’ll need to contact them if you want to switch from retirement to survivor benefits, or vice versa.

• Remarrying without considering the impact: You can’t claim spousal or ex-spouse survivor benefits if you remarry before you’re 60 (or 50 if you’re disabled) as long as you remain married. After that, remarrying won’t affect your survivor payments.

Social Security survivor benefits FAQs

What happens to Social Security when your spouse dies?

If your spouse earned enough work credits, you may qualify for a survivor benefit based on their earnings record. It’s typically 71.5% to 100% of their primary insurance amount, depending on your age when you claim.

If you also qualify for a retirement benefit on your own record, Social Security generally pays the larger amount. You can’t combine the two. You can start with one and switch to the other later. 

If you were already receiving spousal benefits, Social Security usually converts them to survivor benefits automatically.

How long do Social Security survivor benefits last?

For surviving spouses, benefits are generally payable for life. A few situations change that:

• Remarriage: If you remarry before age 60 (or 50 if you’re disabled), you lose survivor benefits while you remain married. If that marriage ends, you regain eligibility. After 60 (or 50 if disabled), remarrying doesn’t affect your benefits.

• Caring for a child: If you qualify for survivor benefits only because you’re caring for your late spouse’s child, benefits tied to that role depend on the child being younger than 16 or disabled. You may be able to claim again as a surviving spouse once you reach 60.

• Children: Benefits generally continue until the child turns 18 (or 19 if still in K-12 school full time). Children with a disability that began before age 22 can qualify at any age.