Your Spouse May Receive Survivor Benefits, But Not Your SSDI Itself
When you die, your SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) payments stop. Your spouse does not inherit your SSDI account or continue receiving your exact benefit amount. However, your spouse may be may have access to to a separate benefit called a survivor benefit, which is paid from your Social Security earnings record.
The survivor benefit is a different payment than SSDI. It is calculated based on your lifetime earnings and the age at which your spouse claims it. Your spouse's survivor benefit amount will likely differ from what you were receiving, and the rules for receiving it depend on your spouse's age and whether they are caring for your children.
Social Security automatically notifies your family members when you pass away, but your spouse must contact Social Security to start the survivor benefit process. This does not happen on its own.
Key Takeaways
- Your spouse can receive a survivor benefit based on your Social Security record, but this is a separate payment from your SSDI and may be a different amount.
- Your spouse can claim a survivor benefit at age 60 (or age 50 if they are disabled), or at any age if they are caring for your child under 16.
- The survivor benefit is reduced if your spouse claims it before their full retirement age, which varies by birth year.
- Your spouse must contact Social Security in person, by phone, or online to claim the survivor benefit — it does not start automatically.
- Any children you have under age 19 (or 19 if still in high school) may also receive survivor benefits on your record.
When Your Spouse Can Claim a Survivor Benefit
Your spouse's age determines when they can claim and how much they receive. The earliest your spouse can claim a survivor benefit is age 60, though the amount will be permanently reduced. If your spouse waits until their full retirement age (which depends on their birth year, ranging from 66 to 67), they receive a larger monthly payment.
There are two exceptions to the age 60 rule. Your spouse can claim at any age if they are caring for your child who is under age 16. Your spouse can also claim at age 50 if they are disabled, though they must meet Social Security's definition of disability and provide medical evidence.
Your spouse's full retirement age is the same as it would be for their own retirement benefit. For someone born in 1960 or later, full retirement age is 67. For someone born between 1943 and 1954, it is 66. Social Security has a table showing the exact age for each birth year on their website.
How the Survivor Benefit Amount Is Calculated
The survivor benefit is based on your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA), which is the benefit you were receiving at the time of your death. Social Security then applies a percentage to that amount depending on your spouse's age and situation.
At full retirement age, your spouse receives 100 percent of your PIA. If your spouse claims at age 60, the benefit is reduced to about 71.5 percent of your PIA. If your spouse is caring for your child under 16, they receive 75 percent of your PIA regardless of their age. If your spouse is disabled and claims at age 50, they receive about 71.5 percent of your PIA.
The exact percentages are set by federal law and do not change. However, your spouse's benefit may be affected by something called the Government Pension Offset if they receive a pension from work not covered by Social Security (such as some government jobs). This can reduce the survivor benefit by up to two-thirds of the pension amount.
What Your Spouse Needs to Do to Claim
Your spouse should contact Social Security as soon as possible after your death. They can do this by calling 1-800-772-1213, visiting a local Social Security office in person, or creating an account on ssa.gov and explore online. Social Security is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. local time.
Your spouse will need to provide your Social Security number, a death certificate, proof of marriage (such as a marriage certificate), and proof of their own age and citizenship or legal residency. If your spouse is claiming because they are caring for your child under 16, they will also need to provide the child's birth certificate and proof of the child's age.
Social Security processes survivor benefit claims within 10 to 14 days in most cases, though complex cases may take longer. Your spouse can check the status of their claim by logging into their Social Security account online or by calling the number above.
How Survivor Benefits Affect Other Family Members
Your children may also receive survivor benefits on your record. Each child under age 19 (or 19 if still in high school full-time) is may have access to to a benefit equal to 75 percent of your PIA. A child who is disabled before age 22 may continue to receive benefits for life, regardless of age.
There is a family maximum benefit, which means the total amount paid to all family members combined cannot exceed 150 to 180 percent of your PIA. If multiple family members claim, Social Security divides the family maximum among them, which may reduce each person's individual benefit. Social Security will explain how the family maximum affects your family's specific situation.
Your spouse's survivor benefit and your children's survivor benefits are separate. Your spouse can receive a benefit for being a widow or widower, and your children can receive benefits as your children, even if your spouse does not claim.
Survivor Benefits and Remarriage
If your spouse remarries before age 60, they lose the right to claim a survivor benefit on your record. If they remarry at age 60 or later, they can still claim the survivor benefit based on your earnings record. They can also claim a benefit on their new spouse's record if that benefit is higher, though they cannot receive both at the same time.
If your spouse remarries and then divorces or their new spouse dies, they may regain the right to claim on your record, depending on the timing and circumstances. Social Security can explain the specific rules for your spouse's situation.
Taxes and Other Considerations
Survivor benefits are subject to federal income tax if your spouse's total income exceeds certain thresholds. The thresholds are $25,000 for a single filer and $32,000 for married filing jointly. Your spouse should consult a tax professional about how survivor benefits affect their tax return.
Survivor benefits do not count toward the earnings limit that applies to people who work while receiving Social Security. Your spouse can work and receive the full survivor benefit at the same time, with no reduction.
If your spouse is also receiving their own retirement benefit, they cannot receive both the survivor benefit and their retirement benefit in full. Social Security will pay whichever is higher, or a combination that does not exceed the higher amount.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my spouse claim a survivor benefit before I die?
No. Survivor benefits only begin after you pass away. Your spouse cannot claim based on your record while you are living. If your spouse is age 62 or older, they may be may have access to to their own retirement benefit based on their own earnings record, which is separate.
What if my spouse was divorced from me?
A divorced spouse can claim a survivor benefit on your record if the marriage lasted at least 10 years and your ex-spouse is age 60 or older (or age 50 if disabled, or any age if caring for your child under 16). The rules are the same as for a current spouse, and remarriage rules differ — a divorced spouse can remarry and still claim on your record.
Does my spouse have to claim right away, or can they wait?
Your spouse can claim at any time after your death, but waiting until full retirement age results in a higher monthly payment. If your spouse claims at 60, the benefit is reduced permanently. There is no advantage to waiting past full retirement age for a survivor benefit, unlike retirement benefits.
What if I was not yet receiving SSDI when I died?
Your family members can still claim survivor benefits based on your Social Security earnings record, even if you were still working or had not yet applied for SSDI. The benefit is calculated the same way. Your family should contact Social Security to report your death and discuss their options.
Can my spouse receive survivor benefits and still work?
Yes. Survivor benefits have no earnings limit, so your spouse can work full-time and receive the full survivor benefit. This is different from retirement benefits, which are reduced if you earn above a certain amount before reaching full retirement age.