A widow or widower age 60 or older (age 50 or older if disabled). A surviving divorced spouse, under certain circumstances. A widow or widower at any age who is caring for the deceased’s child who is under age 16 or disabled and receiving child’s benefits.
How long do survivors receive Social Security benefits?
Generally, spouses and ex-spouses become eligible for survivor benefits at age 60 — 50 if they are disabled — provided they do not remarry before that age. These benefits are payable for life unless the spouse begins collecting a retirement benefit that is greater than the survivor benefit.
What happens to your Social Security benefits if you are a survivor?
If the benefit you would receive as a survivor is higher than the benefit you receive on your own, Social Security will pay you the higher of the two amounts, not the two combined. However, survivor benefits, unlike spousal benefits, don’t have to be claimed at the same time as your own retirement benefits.
Can a surviving spouse collect Social Security at full retirement age?
A surviving spouse can collect 100 percent of the late spouse’s benefit if the survivor has reached full retirement age, but the amount will be lower if the deceased spouse claimed benefits before he or she reached full retirement age. (Full retirement age is currently 66 but is gradually increasing to 67 over the next several years.)
What happens to Social Security benefits if you are under full retirement age?
Your spousal or survivor benefits may be reduced if you are under full retirement age and continue to work. Social Security is phasing in the FRA increase differently for different types of benefits. For retirement and spousal benefits, full retirement age will reach 67 for people born in 1960 and after.
Can a spouse collect Social Security on their own work record?
You can collect benefits on a spouse’s work record regardless of whether you also worked. If your own retirement benefit is lower than your spousal benefit, Social Security will pay you the higher amount. To qualify for survivor benefits, you must have been:
