Understanding Social Security Widow/Widower Benefits

Social Security death benefits paid to an individual’s family members are an important part of Social Security services. Family members include children under the age of 18, dependent parents, and spouses (including former spouses). The death of a spouse in particular can cause financial devastation. For married and formerly married federal employees and retirees, it is important to understand Social Security widow/widower benefits.

This column discusses Social Security widow/widower benefits including when and how a surviving spouse can receive a Social Security survivor benefit and how these benefits can assist the surviving spouse meet financial needs.

Social Security survivor benefits are offered through the Social Security Administration (SSA). Survivor benefits are intended to provide financial support for surviving spouses and children when a spouse or parent passes away. A recent MFR column discussed children survivor Social Security benefits when a parent dies.

Social Security survivor benefits cannot be applied for online at www.ssa.gov. A surviving spouse should report the death of their spouse and initiate the process of requesting a widow/widower benefit as soon as possible following the death of their spouse by contacting the SSA at 1-800-772-1213.

Eligibility for Social Security Widow/Widower Benefits

There are two factors that will determine if Social Security widow/widower benefits are available, namely: (1) Whether the deceased spouse earned enough in Social Security credits in order to qualify family members for survivor benefits; and (2) The surviving spouse or former spouse’s age and current marital status. These two factors are discussed:

• Minimum number of Social Security credits. The number of Social Security work credits the deceased spouse must have earned before a surviving spouse becomes eligible for a widow/widower benefit depends on the number on the number of Social Security credits the deceased spouse had earned at the time of death. The minimum number of credits required is 40 (thereby being “fully insured”). However, if the deceased spouse died young (in their 20’s or early 30’s) as little as 6 credits (equal to 1.5 years of Social Security covered employment) in the three years before the quarter of the year in which the spouse died (thereby being “currently” insured) is required.

• Surviving spouse or former spouse’s age and current marital status. A surviving spouse who did not remarry before age 60 and whose deceased spouse was “fully insured” can apply for a widow/widower benefit as early as age 60. A surviving former spouse of a deceased individual who was married to the individual for at least 10 years before divorcing (and divorced for at least 2 years) and who has not remarried before age 60, is also eligible for a widow/widower benefit, starting at age 60.

Amount of a Social Security Widow/Widower Benefit

The amount of a Social Security widow/widower benefit varies depending on several factors including the Social Security earnings history of the deceased spouse, widow benefits law, and when the surviving spouse claims these benefits. The following list shows how much a surviving spouse could potentially receive in widow/widower benefits:

1. 100 percent of the deceased spouse’s primary insurance amount (PIA) (the deceased spouse’s monthly retirement benefit at the time of his or her death), for a surviving spouse or former spouse who has reached his or her full retirement age (FRA).

The table below summarizes what the FRA depending on the year an individual was born:

2. Between 71.5 percent and 99 percent of the deceased spouse’s PIA if the surviving spouse or former spouse claims the benefits between age 60 and their FRA.

3. 71.5 percent of the deceased spouse’s PIA if the surviving spouse is disabled and between the ages of 50 and 59.

4. 75 percent of the deceased spouse’s or former spouse’s PIA if the surviving spouse or former surviving spouse of any age caring for a child of the deceased spouse. The child must be under age 16.

Lump-Sum Death Benefit

In addition to receiving a monthly widow/widower benefit, a surviving spouse is entitled to a lump-sum death benefit of $255.

How to Apply for Social Security Widow/Widower Benefits

To apply for a Social Security widow/widower benefit a surviving spouse may need to gather various documents such as the deceased spouse’s death certificate, birth certificate, and proof of citizenship or lawful alien status.

Application for widow/widower benefits can be done by the surviving spouse by either visiting a local Social Security office in person or by calling the national toll-free number 1-800-772-1213, (TTY) 1-800-325-0778. While an appointment to visit a local Social Security office is not required, scheduling a visit beforehand may reduce wait times.

Finaly, the following information that surviving spouses and former spouses should consider about Social Security widow/widower benefit:

1. A surviving spouse or former spouse may be eligible to receive a widow/widower benefit instead of their own Social Security monthly benefit based on their Social Security-covered employment history. However, a surviving spouse or former spouse cannot “double dip” and get both their own monthly benefit and survivor benefits at the same time. The surviving spouse or former spouse may have to determine which monthly retirement will financially best serve him or her.

2. There is a Social Security “earnings test” for individuals who are younger than their FRA, working and receiving Social Security monthly benefits. The “earnings test” means that if the individual’s earned income (wages/salary) is above a maximum amount, the SSA will reduce the individual’s monthly Social Security benefit. During 2024, that maximum amount is $22,320. For every $2 earned above $22,320, the SSA will reduce the individual’s monthly Social Security benefit by $1. The result is that the monthly benefit will be lost if the individual earns more than $66,960 during 2024.. A widow/widower benefit is included in the Social Security “earnings test.” A widow/widower younger than FRA should be aware of this “earnings test” and consider waiting until they reach FRA before applying for widow/widower benefits. This is because the Social Security “earnings test” no longer applies the month an individual becomes FRA.

3. A surviving spouse may want to leverage an opportunity to file first for a widow’s/widower’s benefit and then switch his or her own Social Security benefit at age 70 (in order to maximize their own Social Security benefit by as much as 24 to 32 percent). But the opportunity to collect the widow/widower’s benefit is limited to seven years for a surviving spouse whose FRA is age 67.

4. If a surviving spouse is a CSRS annuitant, then the surviving spouse will likely not receive a Social Security widow/widower benefit. This is because as a CSRS annuitant, the surviving spouse is subject to the Government Pension Offset which reduces to the extent it eliminates any type of Social Security widow/widower benefit.