Social Security Survivor Benefits
What Social Security pays survivors: widows and widowers from 60, children, the family maximum, switching strategies, and a calculator for your benefit.
Social Security survivor benefits calculator
Social Security survivor benefits: who gets what
- Widow or widower at full retirement age or older: 100% of the deceased worker's benefit.
- From age 60 (50 if disabled): reduced, down to 71.5% at 60.
- Any age, caring for the deceased's child under 16: 75%.
- Unmarried children under 18 (19 if in high school, or disabled before 22): 75% each.
- Dependent parents 62 or older can also qualify.
Total family benefits are capped by a family maximum (generally 150% to 180% of the worker's benefit). A divorced spouse married 10+ years can qualify, and remarrying after 60 doesn't end survivor benefits.
Survivor benefit strategy
You can take a survivor benefit first and switch to your own retirement benefit later (it grows until 70), or the reverse. Because the survivor benefit is based on what the worker was receiving, a higher earner who delays claiming raises the benefit a surviving spouse will get. Report a death to SSA promptly; a one-time $255 death payment may be available to a surviving spouse or child.
Common questions
How much is the Social Security survivor benefit?
100% of the deceased's benefit at your full retirement age, reduced to 71.5% at 60.
Can children get survivor benefits?
Yes, unmarried children under 18 (19 in high school) get 75% each, subject to the family maximum.
Can I switch from survivor to my own benefit?
Yes, you can take one first and switch to the other later if it's larger.
Sources
More retirement calculators: Social Security Death Benefit · SSDI Benefits
Related
- Social Security spousal benefits
- Social Security quick calculator
- Life expectancy calculator SSA
- Supplemental security income
General information, not financial, tax or legal advice. Check important numbers with the official source before acting on them.