Because Social Security is the bedrock of the majority of American’s retirement income, when your spouse passes away as you are in or nearing retirement years, this question, “What happens to my spouse’s Social Security when they die?”, becomes incredibly important for the surviving spouse to answer. This video goes over three different scenarios that could apply to you: when you are both already claiming Social Security, When one or neither of you is claiming Social Security, and when the surviving spouse was a collecting/entitled to a non-Social Security pension.

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Social Security is a federal program that provides financial support to those who have retired or are disabled, as well as their surviving spouses and children. While many people understand how Social Security works during their lifetime, they may not be aware of what happens to their benefits when their spouse passes away.

When a spouse dies, their Social Security benefits may affect the surviving spouse in two ways. First, if the deceased spouse was the primary earner, the surviving spouse may be eligible for survivor benefits. Second, the surviving spouse’s own Social Security benefits may change based on their age and the number of years they were married.

If the deceased spouse had a higher Social Security benefit than the surviving spouse, the surviving spouse may be eligible for a survivor benefit. The survivor benefit amount is typically 100% of the deceased spouse’s benefit. However, the surviving spouse must be at least 60 years old (or 50 if they are disabled) to be eligible for survivor benefits. If the surviving spouse is eligible for their own Social Security benefit, they will receive whichever amount is higher – their own benefit or the survivor benefit.

If the surviving spouse qualifies for both their own benefit and a survivor benefit, they may choose to claim one first and switch to the other at a later time. For example, a surviving spouse may choose to claim their own benefit at age 62 and then switch to the survivor benefit at full retirement age (which is 66 or 67, depending on the year of birth). This strategy allows the surviving spouse to receive some benefits earlier while taking advantage of a higher survivor benefit later.

On the other hand, if the deceased spouse had a lower benefit than the surviving spouse, the surviving spouse’s own benefit will not change. In this case, the surviving spouse will receive their own benefit and will not be eligible for survivor benefits.

It is important to note that Social Security benefits are a complex issue, and each individual’s situation will be unique. Survivors should speak to a Social Security representative or financial planner to ensure they are taking advantage of all the benefits available to them.

In conclusion, when a spouse passes away, there may be changes to the surviving spouse’s Social Security benefits. The surviving spouse may be eligible for a survivor benefit based on their deceased spouse’s earnings, and their own benefit may change depending on their age and marital history. Consulting a professional can help ensure that the surviving spouse receives the benefits they are entitled to.