What a widow or widower receives from Social Security

If your spouse worked and paid Social Security taxes, you may receive monthly payments based on their earnings record after they die. The amount depends on your age when you start, your spouse's earnings history, and whether you are caring for children under 16. Social Security does not pay a lump sum to widows or widowers — only ongoing monthly checks.

You do not have to be a certain age to receive these benefits if you are caring for your spouse's child who is under 16. If you are not caring for a child, you must be at least 60 years old to receive reduced payments, or 66 to 71 (depending on your birth year) to receive the full amount your spouse's record would have paid. The longer you wait past your full retirement age, the higher your monthly payment becomes.

The actual dollar amount varies widely based on what your spouse earned during their working years. Social Security will calculate this for you — you cannot estimate it yourself with accuracy. You will need to contact Social Security directly or visit their website to find out the specific amount you would receive.

Key Takeaways

  • You can receive widow or widower benefits at age 60 with a reduced payment, or at your full retirement age (66 to 71, depending on birth year) for the full amount.
  • If you are caring for your spouse's child under age 16, you can receive benefits at any age, and the child may also receive their own benefit.
  • You must have been married for at least nine months before your spouse's death, unless the death was accidental.
  • Social Security pays the benefit based on your spouse's earnings record, not your own work history.
  • You can work and still receive benefits, but earnings above a certain limit will reduce your payment if you have not yet reached full retirement age.

Age requirements and payment amounts

The age at which you can start receiving benefits determines how much you get each month. If you start at 60, your payment is roughly 71 to 72 percent of what your spouse would have received at their full retirement age. If you wait until your full retirement age — which ranges from 66 to 67 depending on your birth year — you receive 100 percent of your spouse's full retirement benefit amount.

If you are caring for a child under 16, your age does not matter. You can receive benefits immediately after your spouse's death, and you will receive 75 percent of your spouse's full retirement benefit. Your spouse's children under 19 (or 19 if still in high school) can also receive 75 percent of the benefit on their own, up to a family maximum. The family maximum is usually 150 to 180 percent of what your spouse would have received.

Remarriage affects your benefits. If you remarry before age 60, you lose your widow or widower benefits based on your first spouse's record. If you remarry at 60 or later, you keep the benefits from your first spouse. You may also be able to receive benefits on your new spouse's record if that amount is higher, but Social Security will calculate which is best for you.

Who qualifies for widow and widower benefits

Your spouse must have worked long enough to earn Social Security credits. Generally, this means they worked and paid Social Security taxes for at least 10 years (40 credits). There are some exceptions for workers who died before age 28, but in most cases the 10-year rule applies.

You must have been married to your spouse for at least nine months before they died. The only exception is if your spouse's death was accidental — then the nine-month requirement does not apply. If you were divorced, you may still receive benefits on your ex-spouse's record if you were married for at least 10 years, you are at least 60 years old, and you have not remarried.

You must be a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident to receive benefits. If you are not yet a citizen, you may still be able to receive benefits, but you will need to provide proof of your immigration status to Social Security.

How to start receiving benefits

Contact Social Security by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or visit your local Social Security office in person. You can also create an account on ssa.gov and request benefits online. When you contact them, have your spouse's Social Security number, birth certificate, and death certificate ready. You will also need your own Social Security number and birth certificate.

Social Security will ask you questions about your work history, your marriage, and any other income you receive. Be honest and complete in your answers — mistakes can delay your benefits or cause overpayments that you will have to repay later. If you are caring for a child, bring proof of the child's age and relationship to your spouse.

Processing usually takes two to four weeks after you submit all required documents. Social Security will send you a letter telling you whether you have been approved and when your first payment will arrive. Payments are made by direct deposit, check, or debit card — you choose which method when you apply.

Earnings limits and working while receiving benefits

If you have not yet reached your full retirement age, Social Security reduces your benefit by $1 for every $2 you earn above a yearly limit. For 2024, that limit is $23,400, but it changes each year. In the year you reach full retirement age, the reduction is $1 for every $3 you earn above a different limit, and only earnings before the month you reach full retirement age count.

Once you reach your full retirement age, you can earn as much as you want with no reduction to your benefits. This is an important reason some people wait to start benefits — they can work longer without losing payments.

If you are receiving benefits as a caregiver for a child under 16, there is no earnings limit. You can work and receive the full benefit amount at any age.

Taxes on widow and widower benefits

Depending on your total income, some of your Social Security benefits may be taxable. If your combined income (adjusted gross income plus nontaxable interest plus half your Social Security benefits) exceeds $25,000 as a single filer, up to 50 percent of your benefits may be subject to federal income tax. If it exceeds $34,000, up to 85 percent may be taxable.

You do not pay Social Security tax or Medicare tax on these benefits. However, you may owe federal income tax when you file your return. Social Security will send you a form SSA-1099 each January showing how much you received in the previous year, which you use when filing taxes.

Some states do not tax Social Security benefits at all. Check with your state tax authority or a tax professional to understand your specific situation.

What happens if your spouse was receiving benefits when they died

If your spouse was already receiving Social Security when they died, you may receive a one-time payment of up to $255 to help cover funeral costs. This is not automatic — you or a family member must report the death to Social Security and request this payment. It goes to whoever paid for the funeral, so keep receipts.

After your spouse's death, you become the beneficiary on their record. The monthly benefit you receive as a widow or widower is based on what they were receiving or what they would have received at their full retirement age — whichever is higher. Social Security will recalculate your benefit to reflect your age and your spouse's actual earnings record.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I receive widow benefits and my own Social Security at the same time?

You receive whichever benefit is higher, not both. Social Security calculates your own retirement benefit based on your work history and your spouse's widow benefit based on their record, then pays you the larger amount. If you were born before January 2, 1954, you may be able to receive both under older rules, but this is rare.

What if my spouse did not work long enough to earn Social Security?

Your spouse must have earned at least 40 credits (roughly 10 years of work) for you to receive widow benefits. If they did not work that long, you cannot receive benefits on their record. You may still receive your own retirement or disability benefits if you are old enough or disabled.

Do I lose my benefits if I move out of the United States?

If you are a U.S. citizen, you can receive benefits anywhere in the world. If you are not a citizen, you can only receive benefits while you are in the U.S., with some exceptions for certain countries. Contact Social Security before you move to understand how it affects your specific situation.

Can my adult child receive benefits on my deceased spouse's record?

Only children under 19 (or 19 if still in high school) can receive benefits. Adult children cannot receive widow or widower benefits, even if they are disabled. If your adult child is disabled and was disabled before age 22, they may be able to receive benefits as a disabled adult child, but this is a different program with different rules.

What if I remarry after I start receiving widow benefits?

If you remarry at age 60 or later, you keep your widow benefits from your first spouse. If you remarry before age 60, you lose those benefits. You may be able to receive benefits on your new spouse's record instead, but Social Security will determine which benefit is higher and pay that amount.