When spouse dies can you collect their Social Security?

If you are the widow or widower of a person who worked long enough under Social Security, you can: Receive full benefits at full retirement age for survivors or reduced benefits as early as age 60.

How much Social Security is a surviving spouse entitled to?

Widow or widower, full retirement age or older—100 percent of your benefit amount. Widow or widower, age 60 to full retirement age—71½ to 99 percent of your basic amount. Disabled widow or widower, age 50 through 59—71½ percent. Widow or widower, any age, caring for a child under age 16—75 percent.

What documents are needed to report death to Social Security?

Your Social Security number and the deceased worker’s Social Security number. A death certificate. (Generally, the funeral director provides a statement that can be used for this purpose.) Proof of the deceased worker’s earnings for the previous year (W-2 forms or self-employment tax return).

What happens to your Social Security benefits if your spouse dies?

And there is no effect on eligibility for survivor benefits if you remarry at or past 60 (50 if disabled). The survivor benefit is generally calculated on the benefit your late spouse was receiving from Social Security at the time of death (or was entitled to receive, based on age and earnings history, if he or she had not yet claimed benefits).

How to apply for Social Security after a death?

If you were already receiving spousal benefits on the deceased’s work record, Social Security will in most cases switch you automatically to survivor benefits when the death is reported. Otherwise, you will need to apply for survivor benefits by phone at 800-772-1213 or in person at your local Social Security office.

How does spousal Social Security affect your Social Security benefits?

Your spousal benefit is not affected by the age at which your husband or wife claimed Social Security benefits. It will always be based on your mate’s primary insurance amount. With survivor benefits, if your late spouse boosted his or her Social Security payment by waiting past FRA to file, your survivor benefit would also increase.

Can a divorced spouse receive their ex spouse’s Social Security benefits?

The divorced spouse’s benefit cannot exceed one-half of your ex-spouse’s full retirement amount (not their reduced benefit amount). So, you can only receive additional divorced spouse’s benefits if your own full retirement benefit (not your reduced benefit) is less than half of your ex-spouse’s full retirement benefit.