Your Spouse Can Receive Survivor Benefits After Your Death

Yes. When you die, your spouse may receive survivor benefits based on your Social Security record — even if your spouse has never worked or has a low work history. These are separate from the disability benefits you received while alive. The amount your spouse gets depends on their age when you die, whether they are caring for children, and your Primary Insurance Amount (the monthly benefit you were receiving).

Your spouse does not have to do anything to "set up" these benefits — Social Security will be notified of your death through vital records. However, your spouse will need to contact Social Security to begin receiving payments, and the timing and amount depend on which category of survivor benefit they fall into.

Key Takeaways

  • Your spouse can receive 75 percent of your Primary Insurance Amount at full retirement age, or a reduced amount as early as age 60.
  • A spouse caring for your child under age 16 can receive benefits at any age, regardless of when you die.
  • Your spouse must contact Social Security to claim survivor benefits; they do not start automatically.
  • Remarriage after age 60 (or age 50 if disabled) does not end survivor benefits, but remarriage before age 60 does.
  • Your spouse's own work record may result in a higher benefit than the survivor amount, so Social Security will pay whichever is larger.

Survivor Benefit Amounts Based on Your Spouse's Age

The amount your spouse receives depends on how old they are when you die. At full retirement age (which varies by birth year, typically 66 to 67), your spouse receives 75 percent of your Primary Insurance Amount. If your spouse claims before full retirement age, the payment is reduced — the earlier they claim, the smaller the monthly check.

Your spouse can claim as early as age 60, but the reduction is significant. At age 60, the payment is roughly 71.5 percent of your Primary Insurance Amount. Between ages 60 and full retirement age, the percentage increases each month. Your spouse should contact Social Security to learn the exact amount for their specific age and birth year.

If your spouse is caring for your child who is under age 16, they can receive benefits at any age — even in their 30s or 40s. In this case, they receive 75 percent of your Primary Insurance Amount, the same as if they had reached full retirement age. This benefit ends when the youngest child turns 16, though your spouse may be able to claim again at age 60.

How Your Spouse Claims Survivor Benefits

Your spouse should contact Social Security as soon as possible after your death. They can call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), visit a local Social Security office in person, or start the process online at ssa.gov. Your spouse will need to provide your Social Security number, a death certificate, and proof of their relationship to you (typically a marriage certificate).

Social Security will ask your spouse about their age, work history, and any other benefits they may be receiving. The agency will then calculate which benefit amount is highest — the survivor benefit based on your record, or a benefit based on your spouse's own work history — and pay that amount.

Processing usually takes two to four weeks once all documents are submitted. Your spouse can receive back pay to the month you died, so there is no penalty for waiting a few weeks to file, though filing sooner is generally better to avoid delays.

What Happens If Your Spouse Remarries

Remarriage rules differ by age. If your spouse remarries before age 60, survivor benefits end when ready. If they remarry at age 60 or later, benefits continue without interruption. If your spouse is disabled and under age 60, they can remarry at age 50 or later and keep benefits.

If your spouse's new marriage ends (by death, divorce, or annulment), they may be able to claim survivor benefits on your record again, provided they meet the age or child-care requirements. Your spouse should contact Social Security before remarrying to understand how it will affect their specific situation.

Survivor Benefits for Your Children

Your children may also receive survivor benefits based on your record. Unmarried children under age 19 (or up to age 19 if still in high school full-time) can receive 75 percent of your Primary Insurance Amount each. A disabled child age 19 or older can receive benefits for life if the disability began before age 22.

These payments are separate from your spouse's benefit. If you have multiple children, Social Security calculates a family maximum — a cap on the total amount paid to all family members combined. This maximum is typically 150 to 180 percent of your Primary Insurance Amount, depending on your record. If the total would exceed the maximum, each family member's payment is reduced proportionally.

How Survivor Benefits Interact with Your Spouse's Own Work Record

Your spouse may be may have access to to a retirement benefit based on their own work history. Social Security will calculate both amounts and pay the higher one. For example, if your spouse's own retirement benefit would be $800 per month and the survivor benefit on your record would be $1,200 per month, they receive $1,200.

This is important because some spouses delay claiming their own retirement benefits to receive a larger amount later, but they can claim survivor benefits in the meantime. Your spouse should discuss their options with Social Security to understand which strategy produces the highest lifetime benefit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my spouse get survivor benefits if we were divorced?

Yes, if the marriage lasted at least 10 years and your ex-spouse is at least 60 years old (or caring for your child under 16). The ex-spouse does not need your permission, and remarriage after age 60 does not end the benefit. Your ex-spouse contacts Social Security directly to claim.

Do survivor benefits count as income for taxes or other programs?

Survivor benefits are taxable income if your spouse has other income above certain thresholds. Some benefits like Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Medicaid may be affected by receiving survivor payments. Your spouse should ask Social Security how survivor benefits will affect their specific situation.

What if my spouse is already receiving their own Social Security retirement benefit?

Social Security will compare the survivor benefit to your spouse's own retirement benefit and pay whichever is higher. Your spouse does not receive both. If the survivor benefit is larger, Social Security will switch them over automatically once your death is recorded.

How long does my spouse receive survivor benefits?

Your spouse receives benefits for life if they claim at full retirement age or later. If they claim before full retirement age, benefits continue for life but at the reduced amount. Benefits end only if your spouse remarries before age 60 (or before age 50 if disabled).

Can my spouse work while receiving survivor benefits?

Yes, but if your spouse is under full retirement age and earns above a certain amount (roughly $23,400 in 2024, though this changes yearly), Social Security will reduce the benefit by $1 for every $2 earned above that limit. Once your spouse reaches full retirement age, there is no earnings limit.