What Happens to Your Social Security When Your Spouse Dies

Your surviving spouse and children may receive benefits based on your spouse's Social Security record

When a Social Security beneficiary dies, their spouse, children, and sometimes parents can receive monthly payments based on that person's earnings record. The amount each family member receives depends on their relationship to the deceased and their age. You do not have to be retired yourself to receive these payments — you may may have access to as a surviving spouse even if you have never worked or are still working.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) calls these survivor benefits. They are separate from retirement benefits and are paid from the same Social Security trust fund. The total amount your family can receive is limited — usually between 75 and 180 percent of what the deceased person was receiving or would have received at full retirement age.

Key Takeaways

• A surviving spouse at full retirement age receives 100 percent of the deceased spouse's benefit amount; a surviving spouse at 60 receives about 71.5 percent.
• Unmarried children under 19 (or 19 if still in high school) can receive 75 percent of the deceased parent's benefit each.
• You must report your spouse's death to Social Security within two months, though benefits can be paid retroactively if you delay.
• Remarrying before age 60 ends your survivor benefits, but remarrying at 60 or later does not affect them.
• If you are receiving your own Social Security, you may receive only the higher of your own benefit or your survivor benefit, not both.

Who can receive survivor benefits and how much

A surviving spouse can receive benefits at any age if caring for the deceased's child under 16. If you are not caring for a child, you can receive benefits starting at age 60 (about 71.5 percent of the deceased's benefit) or at your full retirement age (100 percent of the deceased's benefit). The exact percentage increases each year between 60 and full retirement age.

Unmarried children of the deceased can receive 75 percent of the deceased parent's benefit each if they are under 19 and not in high school, or under 19 and in high school full-time. Children who became disabled before age 22 can receive benefits for life, regardless of current age.

Parents of the deceased can receive benefits if they were dependent on the deceased for at least half their income and are age 62 or older. Each parent receives 75 percent of the deceased's benefit.

The total paid to all family members cannot exceed a family maximum, which is usually 75 to 180 percent of what the deceased was receiving. If benefits to all family members would exceed this cap, each person's payment is reduced proportionally.

How to report a death and start the process

Report the death to Social Security as soon as possible, ideally within two months. You can call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or visit your local Social Security office in person. Have the deceased's Social Security number and a death certificate ready. If the death occurred outside the United States, you may need additional documents.

The funeral home often reports the death to Social Security automatically, but do not assume this has happened — call to confirm. If you are the surviving spouse or a family member, you can report the death yourself. You do not need to be the executor of the estate.

Social Security will ask about your relationship to the deceased, your age, and whether you have children. They will explain what benefits your household may receive and what documents you will need to provide. Processing typically takes two to four weeks once you have submitted all required paperwork.

Documents you will need to provide

The exact documents required depend on your relationship to the deceased and your age. In all cases, you will need an original or certified copy of the death certificate. The funeral home can provide multiple certified copies — order at least five, as you will likely need them for other purposes beyond Social Security.

If you are a surviving spouse, Social Security will ask for proof of marriage (marriage certificate) and proof of your age (birth certificate). If you remarried after the deceased's death, bring your current marriage certificate and any divorce decrees from marriages between the first one and the current one.

If you are applying on behalf of children, bring their birth certificates and proof of their school enrollment (if they are 18 and in high school). If a child is disabled, bring medical records documenting the disability and the date it began.

If you are a parent of the deceased, bring proof of your age and documents showing you were dependent on the deceased for at least half your income — tax returns, bank statements, or other financial records from the year before the death.

How remarriage affects your survivor benefits

If you are a surviving spouse and remarry before age 60, your survivor benefits end immediately. If you remarry at 60 or later, your survivor benefits continue unchanged. This rule applies whether you remarry someone who receives Social Security or not.

If you remarry and then that marriage ends (by death or divorce), you may be able to restart your survivor benefits from your first spouse if you meet the age requirement. Contact Social Security to discuss your specific situation, as the rules vary depending on your age and when the remarriage occurred.

Children's benefits end if they marry, regardless of age. If a child's marriage ends, their benefits do not automatically restart — they must contact Social Security to request reinstatement.

What happens if you are already receiving your own Social Security

If you are receiving your own retirement or disability benefit and your spouse dies, you will receive whichever is higher: your own benefit or your survivor benefit. You do not receive both. Social Security will automatically compare the two and pay you the larger amount.

This matters most if you claimed your own benefit early (before full retirement age) and your spouse's survivor benefit would be larger. In that case, you may want to contact Social Security to discuss whether suspending your own benefit and switching to the survivor benefit would increase your long-term payments. The rules for this are complex and depend on your age and when you claimed.

If you have not yet claimed your own Social Security, you can choose to receive only the survivor benefit now and delay claiming your own benefit until later, which would increase your own benefit amount. Again, Social Security can walk you through the options.

Taxes and other considerations

Survivor benefits are subject to the same taxation rules as other Social Security income. If your total income (including survivor benefits, wages, and other income) exceeds certain thresholds, up to 85 percent of your benefits may be taxable. The thresholds are $25,000 for single filers and $32,000 for married couples filing jointly.

If you are working and receiving survivor benefits before your full retirement age, your benefits will be reduced by $1 for every $2 you earn above the annual earnings limit. In 2024, that limit is $23,400, but it changes each year. Once you reach full retirement age, there is no earnings limit.

Survivor benefits do not count toward the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) resource limit, but they do count as income for SSI purposes. If you or a family member receives SSI, report the survivor benefits to your local Social Security office so your SSI payment can be adjusted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I receive survivor benefits if my spouse and I were divorced?

Yes, if the marriage lasted at least 10 years and you have not remarried. You can receive the same benefits as a current surviving spouse. If you remarried and that marriage ended, you may still may have access to if you were married to the deceased for at least 10 years total.

What if my spouse was not yet receiving Social Security when they died?

Your family can still receive survivor benefits based on your spouse's earnings record. Social Security will calculate what your spouse would have received at full retirement age and base family benefits on that amount. You do not need to wait for your spouse to have actually claimed benefits.

How long do survivor benefits last?

A surviving spouse can receive benefits for life if they are at full retirement age or caring for a child under 16. Children receive benefits until age 19 (or 19 if in high school), or for life if disabled before age 22. Parents receive benefits for life if they meet the age and dependency requirements.

Can I receive survivor benefits and still work?

Yes, but if you are under full retirement age, your benefits are reduced by $1 for every $2 you earn above $23,400 per year (2024 limit). Once you reach full retirement age, you can earn any amount without a reduction. Report your earnings to Social Security so your payment can be adjusted.

What if I think Social Security made an error in calculating my survivor benefits?

Contact your local Social Security office or call 1-800-772-1213 to request a detailed explanation of how your benefit was calculated. If you disagree with the decision, you can file a written request for reconsideration within 60 days. Social Security will review the case and send you a written decision.