Widow and widower benefits are monthly payments from Social Security based on your deceased spouse's work record

When your spouse dies, you may receive a monthly payment from Social Security if you were married to them for at least nine months before their death. The payment amount is a percentage of what your spouse was receiving or would have received at full retirement age. You do not need to have worked yourself to collect these benefits — Social Security bases the payment entirely on your spouse's earnings history.

The age at which you can start collecting affects how much you receive each month. A widow or widower can claim as early as age 50 if disabled, age 60 if not disabled, or at any age if caring for a child under 16. If you wait until your full retirement age (which varies by birth year, typically 66 to 67), you receive a larger monthly amount than if you claim at 60.

You will need to contact Social Security directly to report your spouse's death and begin the process. You can call 1-800-772-1213, visit your local Social Security office, or create an account at ssa.gov to start. Social Security will ask for your marriage certificate, your spouse's death certificate, and proof of your age.

Key Takeaways

  • Widow and widower benefits are based on your spouse's Social Security record, not your own work history.
  • You can claim as early as age 60 (or age 50 if disabled), but waiting until your full retirement age results in a higher monthly payment.
  • You must have been married for at least nine months before your spouse's death, with some exceptions for accidents or military service.
  • Social Security pays the benefit directly to your bank account each month, and the amount does not change based on other income you receive.

Age requirements and how they affect your payment

The earliest age you can claim widow or widower benefits is 60, assuming you are not disabled. If you claim at 60, your monthly payment is roughly 71 to 72 percent of what your spouse was receiving at their full retirement age. Each year you delay claiming, the payment increases by about 8 percent per year until you reach your own full retirement age.

If you reach your full retirement age before claiming, you receive 100 percent of your spouse's full retirement age benefit. Your full retirement age depends on your birth year: if you were born in 1945 or earlier, it is 66; if born between 1945 and 1960, it increases gradually; if born in 1960 or later, it is 67. Social Security's website has a table showing the exact age for your birth year.

If you are disabled and between ages 50 and 59, you can claim widow or widower benefits. Social Security defines disability as a condition that prevents you from working and is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. You will need medical evidence to support a disability claim, and Social Security will review your case.

If you are caring for your spouse's child who is under age 16, you can claim at any age, regardless of your own age. The child must be your spouse's biological or legally adopted child. Once the child turns 16, your benefit stops, even if you have not reached age 60.

The nine-month marriage requirement and exceptions

Social Security requires that you were married to your spouse for at least nine months before their death. This rule exists to prevent people from marrying someone near the end of their life solely to collect survivor benefits. However, Social Security makes exceptions in specific situations.

If your spouse's death was accidental or resulted from a crime, the nine-month requirement does not explore — you can claim when ready. If your spouse was in the military and died on active duty, the requirement also does not explore. If you were previously married to the same person and remarried them, Social Security may count the time from your first marriage toward the nine-month requirement.

If you do not meet the nine-month requirement and no exception applies, you cannot claim widow or widower benefits. In that case, you may still be able to claim other benefits if you have your own work record — for example, your own retirement or disability benefits if you are old enough or disabled.

How remarriage affects your benefits

If you remarry before age 60, your widow or widower benefits stop when ready. If you remarry at age 60 or later, your benefits continue without interruption. This rule applies whether you remarry someone who receives Social Security or someone who does not.

If your benefits stopped because you remarried before 60, they can restart if that marriage ends in divorce or death. You do not need to wait for a new marriage to end — as soon as your second marriage ends, you can contact Social Security and your widow or widower benefits resume at the same rate they were before.

If you remarry and then divorce, and that second marriage lasted at least two years, you may be able to claim benefits on your second spouse's record instead. Social Security will compare the two amounts and pay you whichever is higher. This is a separate decision from your widow or widower benefits.

How other income affects your widow or widower payment

Unlike some other government programs, Social Security does not reduce your widow or widower benefit based on other income you receive. If you work, receive a pension, own rental property, or have investment income, your Social Security payment stays the same. The only exception is the earnings test, which applies only if you claim before your full retirement age and continue to work.

The earnings test means that if you claim widow or widower benefits before your full retirement age and earn above a certain amount from work, Social Security temporarily reduces your benefit. For 2024, if you earn more than $23,400 per year, Social Security deducts $1 from your benefit for every $2 you earn above that limit. This reduction applies only in the year you claim and in years before you reach your full retirement age.

Once you reach your full retirement age, the earnings test no longer applies, and you receive your full benefit regardless of how much you earn. Self-employment income, investment income, and pensions do not count toward the earnings test — only wages from work and net self-employment income count.

What documents you need to provide to Social Security

When you contact Social Security to claim widow or widower benefits, you will need to provide several documents. Have your spouse's death certificate ready — you can use a certified copy or an original. You will also need your own birth certificate and proof of citizenship or legal residency, such as a passport or naturalization papers.

Bring your marriage certificate to prove you were married to your spouse. If you were married more than once, bring all marriage certificates and divorce decrees. If you are claiming as a disabled widow or widower, you will need medical records documenting your disability, including doctor's reports and test results.

If you are claiming as a caregiver for your spouse's child under 16, bring the child's birth certificate and proof that the child is your spouse's biological or legally adopted child. Social Security may also ask for your spouse's Social Security number, which you can find on their Social Security card or past tax returns.

How to report your spouse's death and start the process

You can report your spouse's death to Social Security in three ways: by phone at 1-800-772-1213, by visiting your local Social Security office in person, or through your online account at ssa.gov if you have one. If you are calling, have your spouse's Social Security number and death certificate information ready. Social Security representatives can answer questions about your specific situation and tell you what documents to bring.

If you visit in person, bring the documents listed above and expect to spend 30 to 60 minutes at the office. Social Security offices are typically busiest early in the week and early in the month, so calling ahead or visiting on a Thursday or Friday may mean a shorter wait. You can also make an appointment online at ssa.gov to reduce wait time.

After you report your spouse's death, Social Security will process your claim and send you a notice in the mail explaining your benefit amount and payment date. Payments typically begin the month after Social Security approves your claim. Your payment will be deposited directly into your bank account each month on the same date, usually between the 1st and the 22nd of the month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I claim widow benefits if my spouse and I were divorced?

Yes, if your marriage lasted at least 10 years and you are at least 60 years old (or 50 if disabled). You do not need your ex-spouse's permission, and claiming on their record does not reduce their benefit or the benefits of their current spouse. You can claim even if your ex-spouse has not yet claimed their own benefits, as long as they are at least 62.

What happens to my widow benefits if I start working after I claim?

If you claimed before your full retirement age, the earnings test applies. If you earn more than the annual limit (which changes each year), Social Security reduces your benefit by $1 for every $2 you earn above that amount. Once you reach your full retirement age, you can earn any amount without affecting your benefit.

Can my adult children receive benefits on my deceased spouse's record?

Only if they are unmarried and under age 19 (or under 23 if in school full-time). Adult children who are disabled may receive benefits at any age if the disability began before age 22. Each child receives a separate benefit based on your spouse's record.

How long does it take Social Security to process a widow benefit claim?

Processing typically takes two to four weeks if you have all required documents ready. If Social Security needs additional information, the process may take longer. You can check the status of your claim by logging into your online account at ssa.gov or by calling 1-800-772-1213.

Do I have to report my spouse's death to Social Security, or do they find out automatically?

You should report the death yourself as soon as possible. While Social Security does receive death information from state vital statistics offices, there can be delays of several weeks or months. Reporting directly ensures your spouse's record is updated quickly and prevents overpayments if your spouse received a benefit in the month they died.