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Social Security survivor benefits: how much, when, and who qualifies

Direct answer: A widow or widower can get 100% of the deceased worker's benefit at survivor full retirement age (66 to 67), or a reduced amount from age 60 (50 if disabled), starting at 71.5%. You get the higher of your own benefit or the survivor benefit, not both. Remarrying after 60 keeps eligibility.

By the numbers: Survivor benefits for spouses and ex-spouses start at 71.5% of the deceased spouse's benefit at 60 and reach up to 100% at survivor full retirement age. Source: SSA: What you could get from Survivor benefits

“The payments won’t be added together. You can also switch benefits later.” — Social Security Administration, What you could get from Survivor benefits

Updated 2026-10-20

Quick Q&A

Can I get my own Social Security and my spouse's survivor benefit at the same time?

No. If you qualify for both, SSA pays the higher amount, not the two added together. If you're already on your own benefit, SSA pays a combination that equals the higher amount. You can switch later, for example survivor benefits first and your own retirement benefit at 70.

What percent of my spouse's Social Security do I get as a widow or widower?

100% of the deceased worker's benefit at your survivor full retirement age (66 to 67, depending on birth year). From 60 to that age it's reduced, starting at 71.5% at 60 (SSA: over 75% at 61, over 80% at 63, over 90% at 65 for a full retirement age of 67). Disabled widow(er)s 50 to 59 get 71.5%.

Do I lose survivor benefits if I remarry?

Not if you remarry at 60 or older (50 or older if you have a disability). Remarrying before that usually ends eligibility. At 62 or older you can take benefits on your new spouse's record if they'd be higher (SSA Pub. 05-10084).

Can an ex-spouse get Social Security survivor benefits?

Yes, at 60 or older (50 to 59 if disabled) if the marriage lasted at least 10 years. The 10-year and age rules don't apply if the ex-spouse cares for the worker's child who is under 16 or disabled and gets benefits. Benefits to a surviving divorced spouse don't reduce other survivors' benefits.

How much is the Social Security death benefit?

A one-time $255 lump-sum death payment, if the worker was insured. It goes first to a spouse who lived in the same household, otherwise to a spouse or child eligible for monthly benefits on the record. Apply within 2 years. A surviving divorced spouse can't get it.

What if my spouse took Social Security early before dying?

Your survivor benefit is based on their reduced amount, with a floor: it's limited to the larger of what they were getting (or would get) or 82.5% of their full benefit amount (POMS RS 00615.320).

Do children get survivor benefits?

Generally 75% of the parent's benefit for unmarried children under 18 (19 if still in grade 1-12 full time), or any age if disabled before 22, subject to the family maximum of 150% to 180% of the worker's benefit.

As of Oct. 20, 2026

Jump to: Key facts · Percent by age · Worked example · Who qualifies · Remarriage & switching · $255 payment · Next step

Key facts

Higher, not bothIf you qualify for your own benefit and a survivor benefit, SSA pays the higher one. They're never added together.
71.5% at 60Earliest survivor claim is 60 (50 if disabled), at 71.5% of the deceased worker's benefit.
100% at survivor FRAWait until survivor full retirement age (66 to 67) for the full amount. Born 1962 or later: 67.
Remarry after 60: keptRemarrying at 60 or older (50 if disabled) doesn't end eligibility. Before 60 it usually does.
Ex-spouse: 10 yearsA divorced spouse qualifies at 60+ if the marriage lasted 10 years or more.
$255 lump sumOne-time death payment to a spouse or eligible child. Apply within 2 years.

Sources: SSA: what you could get · SSA Pub. 05-10084 · POMS RS 00615.301 · POMS RS 00210.001.

Survivor benefit percent by age

The cut is spread evenly over the months between 60 and your survivor full retirement age, and always tops out at 28.5%. So every birth year starts at 71.5% at 60.

Age you start	Born 1962 or later	Born 1945-1956
60	71.5%	71.5%
61	75.57%	76.25%
62	79.64%	81%
63	83.71%	85.75%
64	87.79%	90.5%
65	91.86%	95.25%
66	95.93%	100%
67 (survivor FRA)	100%	100%

Percent of the deceased worker's full benefit, at the exact birthday month (figured from the POMS formula; SSA rounds the dollar reduction up to the next dime). SSA's own summary: over 75% at 61, over 80% at 63, over 90% at 65. Disabled widow(er)s 50 to 59 get 71.5%. Sources: POMS RS 00615.301 · SSA: what you could get.

Survivor full retirement age and monthly cut by birth year

Born (Jan. 2 to Jan. 1)	Survivor full retirement age	Cut per month before it
1945-1956	66	19/48 of 1%
1957	66 and 2 months	57/148 of 1%
1958	66 and 4 months	57/152 of 1%
1959	66 and 6 months	19/52 of 1%
1960	66 and 8 months	57/160 of 1%
1961	66 and 10 months	57/164 of 1%
1962 or later	67	19/56 of 1%

Survivor full retirement age can differ from the retirement one (67 for anyone born 1960 or later). Source: POMS RS 00615.301, SSA Pub. 05-10084.

Worked example (the math)

ILLUSTRATIVE Made-up numbers to show how SSA's formula works. Not anyone's real benefit.

Setup: Pat dies with a full benefit (primary insurance amount) of $2,000 a month and never claimed early. Pat's widow, born in 1965 (survivor full retirement age 67), has her own retirement benefit of $1,100.
Survivor benefit at 67: 100% = $2,000.
At 62: 60 months early × 19/56 of 1% = 20.36% cut. $2,000 × 20.36% = $407.14, rounded up to $407.20, so $1,592.80.
At 60: the full 28.5% cut: $2,000 − $570.00 = $1,430.00 (71.5%).
Higher, not both: at 62 she'd be paid about $1,592.80 a month, not $1,592.80 + $1,100. Her own $1,100 is lower, so SSA pays the survivor amount (as a combination that equals the higher one).
If Pat had claimed early and was getting $1,400 (70%), her survivor benefit at 67 would be capped at the larger of $1,400 or 82.5% of $2,000 = $1,650.

SSA decides the real amount from the worker's record. Get yours: 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). Sources: POMS RS 00615.301 · POMS RS 00615.320 · SSA Pub. 05-10084.

Who can get survivor benefits

Widow or widower at 60 or older, or 50 or older with a disability. At any age if caring for the worker's child under 16 or disabled who gets benefits (75% of the worker's benefit).
Surviving divorced spouse at 60 or older (50 to 59 if disabled) if the marriage lasted at least 10 years. The age and 10-year rules don't apply if caring for the worker's child (yours together, natural or legally adopted) under 16 or disabled who gets benefits. Benefits to a divorced spouse don't reduce other survivors' checks.
Children: unmarried, under 18 (19 if still in grade 1-12 full time), or any age if disabled before 22. Generally 75% of the worker's benefit.
Dependent parents 62 or older who got at least half their support from the worker.
Family maximum: total monthly benefits on one record are capped at 150% to 180% of the worker's benefit. Ex-spouses don't count toward the cap.
Sources: SSA Pub. 05-10084 · SSA: what you could get · SSA: survivor benefits.

The rules people ask about most

Your own benefit vs. survivor: you get the higher of the two, not both. If you're already on your own benefit when your spouse dies, SSA pays a combination that equals the higher amount. You must still apply for survivor benefits.
You can switch later: SSA says you can, for example, start with survivor benefits and change to your own retirement benefit at 70 when it's highest. (A fact about SSA's rules, not a recommendation.)
Remarriage: remarrying before 60 (50 if disabled) usually ends survivor eligibility. Remarrying at 60 or later (50 if disabled) doesn't. At 62 or older you can get benefits on your new spouse's record if they're higher.
Worker claimed early: the survivor benefit is limited to the larger of the worker's reduced benefit or 82.5% of their full benefit.
Working while on survivor benefits: under full retirement age, the earnings test can hold back checks; your earnings reduce only your own benefit, not other family members'.
Sources: SSA: what you could get · SSA Pub. 05-10084 · POMS RS 00615.320.

The $255 lump-sum death payment

Amount: a one-time $255, if the worker was insured. It isn't a monthly payment.
Who gets it, in order: a surviving spouse who lived in the same household; otherwise a spouse eligible for monthly benefits on the record that month; otherwise eligible children.
Not paid to a surviving divorced spouse.
Deadline: apply within 2 years of the death (if an application is required).
Sources: POMS RS 00210.001 · SSA Pub. 05-10084 · SSA: what you could get.

Next step

Call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., or visit an office. Ask for a survivor benefit estimate with the deceased's Social Security number.
Apply promptly: for some claims SSA pays from the date you apply, not the date of death.
Have ready: proof of death, both Social Security numbers, your birth certificate, marriage certificate (or divorce papers for an ex-spouse), children's birth certificates, the worker's latest W-2 or self-employment return, and your bank account for direct deposit.
Read more: 2027 COLA: what it adds to survivor checks · When will Social Security run out? · Earnings limit if you work · Social Security hub

Source: SSA Pub. 05-10084.

Facts, not advice. This page explains SSA's rules with dates. It doesn't tell you when to claim. SSA decides your actual benefit from the worker's earnings record.

Sources & as-of dates

SSA: What you could get from Survivor benefits (read Oct. 20, 2026; checked 2026-10-20)
SSA: Survivor benefits (who can get them, how to apply) (read Oct. 20, 2026; checked 2026-10-20)
SSA: Survivors (ssa.gov/survivors) (read Oct. 20, 2026; checked 2026-10-20)
SSA Publication No. 05-10084: Survivors Benefits (April 2026 edition; checked 2026-10-20)
SSA POMS RS 00615.301: Reduced Widow(er)'s Benefits (reduction factors) (effective Dec. 5, 2023; checked 2026-10-20)
SSA POMS RS 00615.320: survivor limit when the worker took reduced benefits (82.5% rule) (effective Dec. 14, 2023; checked 2026-10-20)
SSA POMS RS 00210.001: Requirements for the Lump-Sum Death Payment (effective Sept. 15, 2023; checked 2026-10-20)

FAQ

Can I get my own Social Security and my spouse's survivor benefit at the same time?

What percent of my spouse's Social Security do I get as a widow or widower?

Do I lose survivor benefits if I remarry?

Can an ex-spouse get Social Security survivor benefits?

How much is the Social Security death benefit?

What if my spouse took Social Security early before dying?

Your survivor benefit is based on their reduced amount, with a floor: it's limited to the larger of what they were getting (or would get) or 82.5% of their full benefit amount (POMS RS 00615.320).

Do children get survivor benefits?

Facts, not financial advice, and not an SSA benefit estimate. Rules and amounts change yearly; check your own record and estimates at ssa.gov/myaccount.