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6 Questions and Answers on Social Security Survivor Benefits

Key takeaways

Spouses can receive full Social Security survivor benefits at age 66.
Children, grandchildren and stepchildren may be eligible for survivor benefits.
Apply promptly—the SSA calculates some benefits from the time you apply.

Social Security benefits not only help fund your retirement years. They can also provide financial security to your spouse after you die.

To receive full survivor benefits, you have to be at or beyond “full” retirement age Opens in new window. (Currently 66 and two months for those born in or before 1955.) Before that, you'll receive a percentage of the monthly benefit, starting with 71.5% (at age 60).

Survivors benefits could help supplement your 401(k) or similar workplace plan distributions. When can you withdraw from a 401(k)? You must wait until age 59½ unless you want to pay a 10% early withdrawal penalty. After age 72, you must start start taking annual required minimum distributions (RMDs).

The rules on Social Security survivors benefits can get complicated. Here are answers to six common questions

1. How much of my spouse's Social Security benefits will I receive?

That depends primarily on your age and your spouse's income. The retirement age for survivor benefits Opens in new window varies slightly from other Social Security benefits. For example, you can’t start collecting typical benefits until age 62, but spouses can collect survivor benefits beginning at age 60.
2. When should I collect survivor benefits?

Widows and widowers can receive reduced benefits as early as age 60. However, it can pay to wait until you reach full retirement age Opens in new window. The amount you receive increases monthly until then. If you wait until age 66 and two months, you'll receive about 30% more than you would at age 60.

If you're 50 and disabled, and your disability started before or within seven years of your spouse's death, you may be eligible for survivor benefits. If you're taking care of a child who is under age 16 or disabled, you may receive survivor benefits no matter how old you are.
3. My spouse and I divorced. Can I still receive survivor benefits?

If your ex-spouse dies, you may be able to receive the same benefits as the widow or widower if your marriage lasted 10 years or more. Benefits to an ex-spouse won't affect benefits to a current widow, widower or other beneficiary.

Even if you remarry, provided you're over age 60 (or age 50 and disabled), you can still apply for survivor benefits. (If you get hitched before that age, you're not eligible.)

Talk to a Social Security Administration (SSA) representative Opens in new window or benefits expert to determine whether to apply for survivor benefits or benefits based on your current spouse's record. You may qualify for a combination of benefits that's higher than survivor benefits alone.
4. I'm receiving my own retirement benefits. Can I still receive survivor benefits?

If you're already receiving benefits based on your now-deceased spouse's work, the SSA may switch your payments to survivor benefits when you contact them Opens in new window. If you're receiving benefits based on your own work, call the SSA. They can run the numbers to see if you can get more money as a survivor. If your deceased spouse earned much more than you, that could be the case.

If you receive survivor benefits and qualify for a higher retirement benefit, you may be eligible to switch to retirement benefits as early as age 62 or as late as age 70.
5. Can children receive survivor benefits?

Unmarried children up to age 18 (or 19 if they attend high school full time) may receive survivor benefits. Children who were permanently disabled before age 22 can receive benefits regardless of age.

Families with more than one child may receive benefits for each child, but only up to a certain amount. (The maximum is usually between 150% and 180% of the regular benefit.) Your spouse's Social Security statement should have an estimate of benefits your family would receive if he or she died today.

Stepchildren, grandchildren or step-grandchildren may also be eligible for benefits "under certain circumstances," according to the SSA. Talk to a Social Security representative Opens in new window to find out more PDF opens in new window.
6. How do I apply for Social Security survivor benefits?

You can't apply online for Social Security survivors benefits; instead, you must apply over the phone or at a local SSA office. Call the SSA at 800-772-1213 (or 800-325-0778 if you're hearing impaired) to request an appointment.

Before your appointment, it is a good idea to gather these documents:
- Proof of death
- Social Security numbers for you, your children and the deceased
- You and your children's birth certificates
- Your marriage certificate (if your spouse died)
- Divorce papers (if applicable)
- Bank name and account number (for direct deposit)
- W2s or self-employment tax returns for a deceased worker

What you can do next

Set up an account at SSA.gov Opens in new window, so you can review statements, change direct deposit information and find other details about Social Security benefits. Use the benefits calculator Opens in new window to estimate monthly payments—you'll need to enter your past earnings, which you'll find on your Social Security statement.

Remember that everyone’s situation is unique, so speaking with an SSA representative or benefits expert can help you identify the benefits you’re entitled to and how to access them.

Heather R. Johnson writes about finance, small business and health care from Oakland, CA. Her work has appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle and Houston Chronicle, and with brands such as Bank of America, Wells Fargo and RE/MAX, among others.

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6 Questions and Answers on Social Security Survivor Benefits

Key takeaways

1. How much of my spouse's Social Security benefits will I receive?

2. When should I collect survivor benefits?

3. My spouse and I divorced. Can I still receive survivor benefits?

4. I'm receiving my own retirement benefits. Can I still receive survivor benefits?

5. Can children receive survivor benefits?

6. How do I apply for Social Security survivor benefits?

What you can do next

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