What a surviving spouse gets after their spouse dies

When your spouse dies, you may receive a monthly payment from Social Security based on their earnings record. The amount depends on your age when you start receiving payments and whether you are caring for children under 16. You do not have to be retired yourself — Social Security pays surviving spouses at any age if they meet specific conditions.

The payment is not automatic. You must contact Social Security to report the death and request survivor benefits. The process typically takes two to four weeks from the time you submit required documents.

Key Takeaways

  • A surviving spouse can receive between 75 and 100 percent of what the deceased spouse was receiving, depending on the survivor's age at the time they start receiving payments.
  • You can start receiving payments at age 60, or at any age if you are caring for the deceased spouse's child who is under 16.
  • You must report your spouse's death to Social Security and provide a death certificate, marriage certificate, and proof of citizenship or legal residency.
  • If you remarry before age 60, you lose survivor benefits unless the new marriage ends.
  • Social Security will contact you about any other benefits you may receive, such as a one-time death payment of $255.

Age requirements and payment amounts

The age at which you start receiving survivor benefits determines how much you get each month. If you start at age 60, you receive about 71.5 percent of your spouse's full benefit amount. If you wait until your full retirement age (which varies by birth year, typically between 66 and 67), you receive 100 percent of what your spouse was receiving at the time of death.

You can start receiving payments at any age if you are caring for your spouse's child under age 16, even if that child is not biologically yours. In this case, you receive 75 percent of your spouse's benefit amount. Once the youngest child turns 16, your payments stop until you reach age 60.

If your spouse was receiving Social Security at the time of death, your payment is based on that amount. If your spouse had not yet started receiving benefits, Social Security calculates what they would have received at their full retirement age.

Documents you need to provide

Social Security requires specific documents to process survivor benefits. You will need the deceased spouse's death certificate (an official copy, not a photocopy), your marriage certificate, your birth certificate, and proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency. If you were married more than once, bring all marriage and divorce certificates.

You can obtain a death certificate from the county or state vital records office where your spouse died. Most states charge $10 to $25 per copy. Order multiple copies — Social Security typically needs at least one, and you may need additional copies for banks, insurance companies, or other purposes.

Bring these documents to your local Social Security office, or mail them with a completed Form SSA-8 (Application for Widow's or Widower's Benefits). You can download the form from ssa.gov or request it by phone at 1-800-772-1213.

How remarriage affects your benefits

If you remarry before age 60, your survivor benefits stop immediately. You cannot receive them again unless the new marriage ends by death, divorce, or annulment. If you remarry at age 60 or later, your benefits continue without interruption.

This rule applies even if the new marriage lasts only a short time. Social Security considers the date the marriage legally begins, not when you live together or when you plan to marry. If you are considering remarriage and want to understand how it affects your specific situation, contact Social Security before the wedding.

Other payments you may receive

In addition to monthly survivor benefits, Social Security pays a one-time lump-sum death benefit of $255 to the surviving spouse if you were living with the deceased spouse at the time of death, or if you are receiving or were receiving survivor benefits based on their record. This payment is made to one person only — if multiple family members are receiving benefits, Social Security determines who receives it based on a set order of priority.

Your children under age 19 (or up to age 19 if still in high school full-time) may also receive survivor benefits based on your deceased spouse's record. Each child typically receives 75 percent of the deceased spouse's benefit amount. The total paid to all family members cannot exceed 150 to 180 percent of what the deceased spouse was receiving.

When payments start and how long they last

Social Security can pay survivor benefits back to the month your spouse died, but only if you request them within a certain timeframe. If you wait more than a few months to report the death, you may lose payments for earlier months. Contact Social Security as soon as possible after your spouse's death.

Your monthly payments continue for life, as long as you do not remarry before age 60. If you are caring for a child under 16, payments continue until the child turns 16, then stop until you reach age 60. If you become disabled before age 60, you may continue receiving payments past the age when child-care benefits normally end — contact Social Security to report a disability.

How to report your spouse's death

Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) to report your spouse's death. Have your spouse's Social Security number and the date of death ready. Social Security will tell you what documents to bring and whether to visit an office in person or mail documents.

If your spouse was receiving Social Security benefits at the time of death, notify Social Security immediately. Continuing to receive your spouse's payments after death is considered overpayment, and Social Security will ask you to return the money. Report the death even if you do not plan to request survivor benefits, because Social Security needs to stop your spouse's payments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I receive survivor benefits if my spouse and I were not married for very long?

Social Security requires that you were married for at least nine months before your spouse's death. There are exceptions if your spouse died in a work-related accident or military service. If you do not meet the nine-month requirement, you cannot receive survivor benefits, but your children may still be able to.

What happens to my survivor benefits if I start working?

If you are under your full retirement age and earn more than $23,400 per year (2024 limit, adjusted yearly), Social Security reduces your benefits by $1 for every $2 you earn above that amount. Once you reach your full retirement age, there is no earnings limit. Report any work income to Social Security to avoid overpayment.

Can I receive both survivor benefits and my own Social Security retirement benefits?

You can receive benefits based on your own work record and survivor benefits, but Social Security pays only the larger amount, not both. If you are may be able to access for both, Social Security calculates which gives you more money and pays that amount. This is called the "deemed filing" rule.

Do I have to be a U.S. citizen to receive survivor benefits?

You do not have to be a U.S. citizen, but you must be a permanent resident or have a valid visa. Social Security will ask for proof of your immigration status. Non-citizens living outside the United States may have additional restrictions — contact Social Security to discuss your specific situation.

What if my spouse never worked or had very low earnings?

Your survivor benefit is based entirely on your spouse's Social Security earnings record. If your spouse had low earnings or few work credits, your monthly payment will be smaller. Social Security will calculate the exact amount based on your spouse's record when you apply.