Social Security Survivor Benefits 101 covers the basics that everyone should know about the Social Security Survivors Benefit. This video covers three different scenarios: what the survivor receives if their spouse never filed for Social Security, what they receive if their spouse filed for Social Security at Full Retirement Age (FRA) and what they receive it their spouse filed for Social Security before full retirement age.
Shown below is the survivor payment “haircut” schedule discussed in the video. Note this is current as of 2020.
Survivor’s Age – % of Deceased FRA Payment
Age 50-59* – 71.50%
Age 60 – 71.50%
Age 61 – 75.58%
Age 62 – 79.65%
Age 63 – 83.72%
Age 64 – 87.79%
Age 65 – 91.86%
Age 66 – 95.93%
Full Retirement Age and Beyond – 100%
* This applies to those who are disabled only
Important Links:
Federal Reserve Board Survey of Consumer Finances:
Social Security Administration Application for Benefits
Current Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment
Social Security Payment Estimator
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Disclaimer: this video is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not meant to be a substitute for legal, accounting, tax, or professional advice. If you have any specific questions about any legal, accounting, tax or other professional service matter you should consult the appropriate professional services provider….(read more)
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Social Security Survivor Benefits 101 – How It Works
The Social Security Administration (SSA) offers a range of benefits to individuals and families, including retirement benefits, disability benefits, and survivor benefits. While most people are familiar with retirement benefits, not everyone is aware of the survivor benefits available through Social Security. In this article, we will provide an overview of Social Security survivor benefits, how they work, and who is eligible to receive them.
Survivor benefits are designed to provide financial support to the family members of a deceased worker. It is important to note that survivor benefits are not only available to spouses, but also to children, parents, and, in some cases, ex-spouses. These benefits can be a lifeline for families, particularly those who have lost a primary breadwinner.
Eligibility for survivor benefits is based on the work history of the deceased person. To qualify, the deceased worker must have earned enough credits through Social Security contributions. The number of credits required will depend on the age of the deceased at the time of their death. In most cases, the worker must have earned at least 40 credits, with up to four credits earned each year.
The benefits available to survivors vary depending on their relationship to the deceased worker. The surviving spouse is usually eligible to receive the full amount of the deceased’s Social Security retirement or disability benefit. However, if the surviving spouse is caring for children under the age of 16, or disabled children, they may be eligible to receive benefits even if they are under the age of 60. In some cases, ex-spouses may also be eligible for survivor benefits.
Children of the deceased worker may also be eligible for survivor benefits. Generally, children are eligible if they are unmarried and under the age of 18, or under 19 if still attending high school full-time. In some cases, benefits may continue until they are 22 if they are disabled. The amount of benefits received will depend on the deceased worker’s earnings history.
Parents of a deceased worker may also qualify for survivor benefits under certain circumstances. These circumstances include when the parents were dependent on the deceased worker for at least half of their support at the time of their death. Again, the amount of benefits received will depend on the earnings record of the deceased.
It is important to note that survivor benefits can be reduced if the survivor receives their own Social Security retirement or disability benefit. This is known as the “dual entitlement” rule and aims to prevent individuals from receiving both their own benefits and survivor benefits simultaneously.
To claim Social Security survivor benefits, surviving family members will need to contact the Social Security Administration. Documentation, such as a death certificate, may be required during the application process. It is recommended to start the application process as soon as possible to ensure a seamless transition and avoid any gaps in income.
In conclusion, Social Security survivor benefits provide financial support to the family members of a deceased worker. These benefits are based on the work history of the deceased and are available to spouses, children, parents, and ex-spouses in certain circumstances. Understanding the eligibility requirements and application process is crucial to accessing these vital benefits. To learn more about survivor benefits or to begin the application process, visit the Social Security Administration’s website or contact your local office.
I'm on SSDI, my daughter gets survivor benefits from me. She turns 18 in January. What happens to that portion she gets from me? Does it come to me? Also I need to apply for SSI for her as well because she has mental health issues, so if she's approved will it affect my benefits? Or will she have her own benefits that are separate from me?
what about child in care benefit? would that continue?
Is it like SSDI where you have to have a disabling condition to be eligible? This one has not happened to me but what if I lose SSDI because a review made it look as if there was improvement? I do have survivors and disability (not SSI). Probably like many I started out on SSI but then was able to get SSDI. I am learning disabled and have attended special schools and been in special classes for as long as I can remember. Of course I am now no longer in high school, that was a long time ago. If they ever send me for a review and find me not disabled any more, will I keep the survivors benefit still? I know my SSDI benefit is in possible danger every time they do a review. I am collecting benefits on my father's earnings record.
ok a question i am collecting survivor's benefits my x passed at 57 and i am 5 years older and a disabled vet so i started to collect survivors when i turn 70 will i be able to collect my social security at 100 percent wich will be more?
My son's father died April 30th. We called a few days later and signed up for an on phone interview 2 months later. I just hope it's back dated. The interview is this week. Without child support I'm STRUGGLING.
Great video Schmidt!
I'm 70 and just started my Social Security benefit. My wife is 63 and we just started her benefit payments as well. I can calculate what she will receive if I pass away this year while she is 63 using the percentage in your chart; but, will her benefit increase every year; and, at age 67 will her benefit increase up to 100%?
Do I have to file, I'm 80 my spouse was 99, does my SS increase automatically?
Hi , what happens if the surviving spouse is drawing on social security but the higher earner is not . Does the fact that the survivor was drawing her amount which is lower ? Will the same survivor rules apply . 100-% of full retirement age , adjusted for survivors age , thanks
What if your only common law for 3 yrs. Remarried then divorced
What if deceased spouse passes away before she is eligible to file for SSA benefits. Can my spouse still file for survivor benefits if spouse is 64 or higher of age?
My husband was 93% disability an passed away 16 years ago with Pancreas cancer an had Agent Orange. How come I can't get survival spouse. I have written for years an awesome get a letter back telling me my husband was only 93%
Social security is the biggest scam in history. It is compulsory. Even at full retirement age you receive less or none if you still earn. You can. E married for 60 years but if you divorce the day before you die the survivor gets nothing. There are dozens of rules that haircut or eliminate the benefits. Only a very small portion of cases actually benefit the survivors and far less get anything close to what the insured paid in over a lifetime or work.
My question is a friend of my lost his wife seven years ago and he applied for survivor benefits he passed the medical factors part for social security but it still up for grabs in the non medical factors we want to know what the non medical factors that social security looks at when determine there approved for survivor benefits
just turn 50th my husband been dead for 7 years we both where social security benefits before he passed so when can I get my widow pension
Thank you . I’m 28yrs old with 2 under 2 and recently lost my husband to a battle with cancer. I have no idea about SS and never thought I’d be here at this age. I truly appreciate this. ❤
Hi i just lost my wife at the age of 42. She left behind myself 49 and 2 young children under 7. I am currently out of work do my children get anything now? I have a call in 2 weeks with SS
Holy Schmidt…thank you for your video. I’ve 2 questions. Are survivors benefits (SB) are based on the decedent’s earnings? Are SBs subject to an annual earnings test based on the survivor’s income? Please explain! Thanks!
I am 10 years younger than spouse. what if I collect early retirement and he also collects early retirement afterwards passing away. what would be the % I would receive from the survivor benefits as he makes 3x as much.
My husband passed away at age 69, he started collecting at age 65. I know what he received monthly and I waited til I was 61 to collect survivor benefits, and I was told I could only collect $234. a mth, which is approximately 22% of what he was receiving. Then 1 1/2 years later I got a letter in the mail stating they PD me too much and I had to pay back $735., which I did. Then 3 mths ago I got another letter stating they were not paying me enough money since I started receiving survivors benefits and increased my amount to $334. a mth. It’s still not even close to what I should be receiving, according to this video and I can’t help but wonder if they are just using that $735. to pay me more, then gonna repeat the process after that money is PD back! (One letter to say I’m over PD, so pay it back, then another one saying I was under paid and pay me back the money a little at a time and repeat, yr. after yr.)
What if they were on disability for cancer and then they turn to social
I was in my fifties and I had to wait till I was 60 and it's very low
I'm interested to know if I can take survivor benefits now (married 40 years, I'm 63 and retiring, husband died before taking SS benefits ) and at my FRA switch from the survivor benefit to his full SS benefit or is it always locked in at the survivor amount? I know I can take the survivor benefit now and let my SS benefit grow until my FRA but his SS benefits are far greater than mine will ever be.
I have filed April 18th of this year. Still waiting for a decision? It says 2 to 4 weeks on the website. What is the holdup?
Yeah I'm confused. The 33 year old in the example gets nothing?
Geoff, thank you for this extremely helpful video! Question, can a survivor under fra work and collect unreduced survivors benefits at the same time, while letting their own benefit grow?
I will be 64 in October of this year. My Ex would have been 64 in October of this year also. We were married for 18 years. We have been divorced for 23 years. I never remarried but he did twice. Can I draw benefit from him? I have been told I can but not sure.. he died April of this year
Here's how it hasn;t worked for me, so far. I call the 800 number and wait on hold for 45 minutes. Someone finally comes on, I give them information, they say someone will call back in a week. 14 days later, I call again, and wait 30 minutes on hold. I finally speak with someone that takes my information, and says that someone will call back in 2 business days. 3 business days later, I call back. 25 minutes on hold. Finally I tell the person this is the third time calling, etc. They tell me about Covid, etc. After taking all my information, and putting me on hold, the person comes back and says I have a phone appointment scheduled 5 weeks later. I ask what happens then, I am told they will take my information and a decision will be made in a month or so. Forget going to any office I am told. SS is a mess.
Nobody can become financially successful overnight. They put in background work but we tend to see the finished part. Fear is a dangerous component, hindering us from taking the bold steps we need in other to reach our goals.
What if the husband was to get 2000 at his FRA of 67 but he waited until 68 and got 8 percent more for 2160 and then passed away. Would the age 60 wife get 71.5 percent of 2000 or of 2160? Also what if husband passed away at 68 but had not yet taken SS?
Can I collect SS from my ex husband ( married 17yrs ) if our daughter is already collecting from him ( she is disabled )
Hi….I have a pretty specific question! Recently, my wife passed away after retiring 16 months ago. she retired after being 66… her full retirement age. I however, however retired a little early from my 66th birthday! on a SSA disabled retirement. How does this affect me and our monthly benefits? Sorry that this is SO Specific! GG
According to the SSA website, full retirement age for a surviving spouse is slightly lower. For example, my FRA is 66 years and 6 months. However, my survivor FRA is 66 years and 2 months. I will be turning 66 soon, and my husband, currently receiving benefits, is very I'll. The four month difference in FRA is something I am taking into consideration in planning my own filing. But, my local SSA representatives seem to be clueless about this. Even when I read them the information from the SSA website! They seem to have set responses and can't adjust to unusual circumstances.
What if the surviving spouse is retired and receives a pension. Does that make them ineligible to receive SS payment
I appreciate the effort, but this content could be explained in 1/2 the time.
Very understandable and helpful. Thank You.