Monthly income · Nationwide
Social Security Survivor Benefits
If your husband or wife has died, you may be owed a monthly benefit based on their record.
Written and checked by Jason Burns, Editorial Steward · Checked August 25, 2026
What it is typically worth
$6,000 – $45,000 a year
An estimate for a typical household. Your amount depends on your income, your state, and your situation.
What this program is, in plain English
When a worker who paid into Social Security dies, a surviving spouse can collect a monthly benefit from that record. A widow or widower can start as early as age 60, or age 50 if disabled, and at full retirement age the benefit equals 100 percent of what the worker was getting or was entitled to. If you already get your own retirement benefit, Social Security pays whichever is higher, not both. Surviving divorced spouses can qualify too if the marriage lasted at least ten years. You cannot apply for survivor benefits online. You have to call or go in.
What you actually get
A monthly payment for life, plus a one-time death payment of $255 to an eligible spouse or child.
Who qualifies
- You are 50 or older.
- Income limit: Not yet verified — call to confirm
- Age 50 if disabled. Age 60 otherwise. Any age if caring for the deceased worker's child under 16.
What to have ready
- Death certificate
- Marriage certificate
- Your birth certificate
- Both Social Security numbers
- Bank account details for direct deposit
How to apply
This program is run by Social Security Administration. Most decisions take Commonly 30 to 60 days.
We are not a government agency. These links go straight to the agency that runs the program. Applying is always free.
Every program on this site is free to apply for. Anyone who asks you to pay to apply, or to “unlock” a government benefit, is a scam — hang up and call Senior Medicare Patrol or 211.
Report something wrong on this page
Sources
- Program page — ssa.gov
- Social Security Administration — ssa.gov
- Legal authority: 42 U.S.C. § 402(e) and (f)
Checked August 25, 2026 by Jason Burns (http fetch + browser + content check 2026-08-25). Licensed under the Citation License 1.0.
Related programs
- Social Security Benefits From an Ex-Spouse's RecordIf the marriage lasted ten years, you may be able to collect on your ex's record. They are never told, and their check is not reduced.
- Social Security Fairness Act: Benefits You Never Filed ForIf a government pension once wiped out your spousal or survivor benefit, that rule is gone. Social Security will not come find you.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)A monthly cash payment for people 65 and older with very little income, and the doorway to Medicaid in most states.
Not sure if this one is for you?
The free screener checks you against every program at once. It takes about two minutes and never asks for your name or phone number.
Start the free screener