When a loved one dies, the financial fallout to deal with often adds to your grief.
In some circumstances, Social Security survivor benefits can fill part of that void.
As of April 2022, Social Security paid monthly survivor benefits to approximately 6 million people.
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But navigating the maze of Social Security benefits can be confusing, especially when youre dealing with a loss.
In this article, well cover how survivor benefits work, who qualifies and other commonly asked questions.
How Do Social Security Survivor Benefits Work?
Your employer then matches that 7.65%.
once you nail 40 credits, the equivalent of 10 years of full-time work, youre considered fully insured.
The requirement is lower for younger workers.
When youre fully insured, that means youll be eligible for retirement benefits.
Lets look at a few different scenarios.
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That doesnt necessarily mean theyd get $3,000 a month.
But thats the number youd start with.
Their benefit would be a percentage of that $3,000.
Well discuss what that percentage would be in the next section.
Suppose you started benefits as soon as you blew out the candles on your 62nd birthday cake.
Youd only receive two-thirds of your primary insurance amount.
If your primary insurance amount was $3,000 a month, youd get $2,000 since you started early.
Survivor benefits are calculated as a percentage of $2,000, not $3,000.
But if you hadnt started benefits yet?
Your primary insurance amount of $3,000 is used for the calculation.
If you started at 62, benefits are still based on $2,000.
If you started at your full retirement age of 67, theyre based on $3,000.
That would put you at $3,720 a month.
8 Social Security Survivor Benefit FAQs
Here are eight commonly asked questions about Social Security survivor benefits.
Note that this FAQ isnt meant to provide personalized advice.
If you have questions about your particular situation, callingyour local Social Security officeis a must.
1. Who Counts as a Survivor?
The most common reason youd qualify for benefits is when your spouse or ex-spouse dies.
However, certain other family members may also be eligible.
Benefits are generally calculated the same way for spouses and ex-spouses.
No ones decision will affect anyone elses benefits.
It usually ranges from about 150% to 180% of the deceased workers primary insurance amount.
The formula forcalculating the maximum family benefitis complex.
Contact your local Social Security office if you have questions.
Can I Get Spousal Survivor Benefits if I Remarry?
This applies even if you and your late spouse were divorced.
But if you remarry before then, you wont qualify for their benefits.
Any benefits your child was receiving will continue as long as theyre eligible.
Note that if youre taking benefits on the record of a living ex-spouse, the rule is different.
If youre married to someone else, you cant claim your ex-spouses benefits, regardless of your age.
Can I Collect My Own Benefits and My Late Spouses?
The most it’s possible for you to collect is 100% of the larger benefit.
You wont receive survivor benefits.
Will I Get a Bigger Benefit by Waiting Until Age 70?
You get an 8% delayed retirement credit for every year you wait past your full retirement age.
Benefits max out at 70.
But it only works if youre taking benefits based on your own earnings record.
The same rule applies when you take benefits based on a living spouses or ex-spouses record.
Can I Claim Survivor Benefits and Switch to My Own Larger Benefit Later?
You could take survivor benefits, then switch over to your own retirement benefit later on if its larger.
In the past, couples frequently coordinated benefits.
The higher earner would hold out until 70 to take benefits.
The law eliminated this option for people born after Jan. 2, 1954.
But again, this doesnt apply to survivor benefits.
Anna could start taking Bobs benefit once she turns 60.
Or she could wait until her full retirement age and get the full $2,000 a month.
Once Anna turns 70, she can switch over and collect her maximum benefit of $3,000.
But if Bob is still living?
Anna doesnt have the option of claiming spousal benefits, then switching to retirement benefits.
Can I Work and Collect Survivor Benefits?
However, if youre caring for the deceased persons child, the childs benefits arent affected by your earnings.
But you wouldnt get 75% for yourself because your earnings would phase out your benefit.
Do I Get Disability if My Spouse Was on SSDI When They Died?
How Do You Apply for Survivor Benefits?
Unlike with regular Social Security benefits, you cant apply for survivor benefits online.
You also cant report someones death to Social Security online.
If you give the funeral home the persons Social Security number, theyll often make the report.
you’ve got the option to also visit your local office.
Check theSocial Security Survivors Benefitspage for a list of documents youll need to apply.
If youre missing a document, contact Social Security anyway.
Staffers can often obtain the information they need from your states Bureau of Vital Statistics.
Survivor Benefit Recap: The Big Takeaways
We get it: That was A LOT of information.
If youre still working, its essential tosave for retirement.
Dont be discouraged if youre behind on saving.
Robin Hartill is a certified financial planner and a senior writer at The Penny Hoarder.
She writes the Dear Penny personal finance advice column.
Send your tricky money questions to[email protected].
(Can you sense my millennial sarcasm there?)
You know which ones were talking about: rent, utilities, cell phone bill, insurance, groceries…
