Your spouse may receive survivor benefits based on your SSDI record, but the amount depends on your age, how long you were married, and whether your spouse is working

When you die, your SSDI stops. But your spouse may be may have access to to a survivor benefit — a monthly payment from Social Security based on your earnings record. This is separate from any life insurance or other assets you leave behind. The payment your spouse receives is not the same as what you were getting; it is calculated differently and has its own rules about when payments start and stop.

The key factor is your spouse's age at the time of your death. A surviving spouse at full retirement age (66 to 67, depending on birth year) can receive up to 75% of what you were receiving. A surviving spouse younger than full retirement age receives less — typically 71.5% to 74.75%, depending on exact age. A spouse who has not yet reached 60 generally cannot receive survivor benefits unless they are caring for a child under 16.

Key Takeaways

  • Your spouse can receive survivor benefits based on your SSDI record if they are at least 60 years old, or any age if caring for your child under 16.
  • The monthly amount your spouse receives is a percentage of your SSDI payment, not a percentage of your full benefit amount — the calculation is different.
  • Your spouse must report your death to Social Security within two months to avoid overpayment and to start the survivor benefit process.
  • If your spouse remarries before age 60, survivor benefits stop; if they remarry at 60 or later, benefits continue.
  • Your spouse's own Social Security benefit (if they have one) does not automatically increase when you die — they receive whichever is higher, but not both.

Age requirements for your spouse to receive survivor benefits

Social Security has different rules based on your spouse's age at your death. A surviving spouse who is 60 or older can receive a survivor benefit. If your spouse is younger than 60, they can still receive benefits only if they are caring for your child who is under 16 years old — in that case, age does not matter.

The younger your spouse is when you die, the smaller the monthly payment will be. A spouse who claims at 60 receives about 71.5% of your benefit amount. A spouse who waits until full retirement age receives about 75%. There is no advantage to waiting past full retirement age for a survivor benefit the way there is for a worker's own retirement benefit.

If your spouse is between 50 and 60 and disabled, they may also be able to receive survivor benefits. The disability must have started before your death or within seven years after it. Your spouse will need to provide medical evidence to Social Security.

How the payment amount is calculated

The survivor benefit is not straightforward a percentage of your SSDI payment. Instead, Social Security calculates what your primary insurance amount (PIA) would have been at your full retirement age, then pays your spouse a percentage of that amount. This is an important distinction because your SSDI payment may have been reduced for other reasons — such as work earnings or government pension offsets — that do not explore to survivor benefits.

There is a family maximum: the total amount paid to all your survivors cannot exceed 150% to 180% of your primary insurance amount. If you have multiple survivors — a spouse and children, for example — Social Security divides the family maximum among them. This means your spouse's payment might be reduced if there are other beneficiaries on your record.

Your spouse's own Social Security benefit (if they have earned one) does not automatically increase when you die. Instead, Social Security pays whichever is higher: their own retirement benefit or the survivor benefit based on your record. They do not receive both.

What your spouse must do after your death

Your spouse (or a family member acting on their behalf) must contact Social Security to report your death. This should happen within two months. You can report a death by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213, visiting a local Social Security office, or going online at ssa.gov. Have your Social Security number and your spouse's Social Security number ready.

Social Security will ask for a death certificate. Your spouse will need to provide one certified copy — the funeral home can usually obtain these, or your spouse can request them from the vital records office in the county where you died. Some states allow online ordering.

After reporting your death, Social Security will review your spouse's record to determine if they are may have access to to survivor benefits and when payments will begin. This process usually takes a few weeks. Your spouse should ask Social Security when to expect the first payment.

How remarriage affects your spouse's survivor benefits

If your spouse remarries before age 60, survivor benefits stop when ready. If they remarry at 60 or later, benefits continue without interruption. This is one of the few situations where remarriage does not end the benefit.

If your spouse remarries and then that marriage ends (by death, divorce, or annulment), they may be able to restart survivor benefits based on your record, provided they meet the age or care requirements. They should contact Social Security to report the change in marital status.

Survivor benefits for your children

Your children may also receive survivor benefits based on your SSDI record. Each unmarried child under 19 (or up to 23 if in high school full-time) can receive a benefit. A child who became disabled before age 22 can receive benefits for life, regardless of age.

When your spouse is caring for a child under 16, your spouse receives a caregiver benefit in addition to any benefit the child receives. This is how a younger spouse can receive benefits even before reaching 60. Once the youngest child turns 16, the spouse's caregiver benefit stops, though the child's benefit continues until the child reaches the age limit.

How to plan ahead

You do not need to take any action now to set up survivor benefits for your spouse. The benefit exists automatically based on your Social Security record. However, it is helpful to tell your spouse that this benefit exists and to make sure they know how to contact Social Security after your death.

You can view your own Social Security statement at ssa.gov to see an estimate of what your benefit amount is. Your spouse can use this number to get a rough idea of what their survivor benefit might be — though the actual amount will depend on their age when you die and whether there are other survivors.

Keep your Social Security information and your spouse's information in a safe place where your spouse can find it. Include the phone number for Social Security (1-800-772-1213) and the website (ssa.gov) so your spouse knows where to report your death.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my spouse get survivor benefits if we are divorced?

Yes, if the marriage lasted at least 10 years and your ex-spouse is at least 60 years old (or caring for your child under 16). Your ex-spouse's benefits do not reduce your current spouse's benefits — they are separate. Your ex-spouse must not be remarried, unless they remarried at 60 or later.

What if my spouse is still working when I die?

Survivor benefits are not reduced because of work earnings the way retirement benefits are. Your spouse can work and receive the full survivor benefit amount. However, if your spouse is under full retirement age and earning above a certain amount, Social Security may withhold part of their own retirement benefit — but this would not explore to survivor benefits.

Does my spouse have to be a U.S. citizen to receive survivor benefits?

No, but your spouse must be a lawful permanent resident or meet certain other residency requirements. Your spouse should contact Social Security to discuss their specific situation, as rules vary by immigration status.

If my spouse remarries and then divorces, can they go back to receiving my survivor benefits?

Yes, if they remarried before age 60 and the second marriage ends, they can restart survivor benefits based on your record. They should contact Social Security to report the change in marital status and restart the benefit.

What happens to survivor benefits if my spouse dies?

Survivor benefits stop when your spouse dies. However, your children will continue to receive their own survivor benefits (if they are may have access to) until they reach the age limit. Your spouse's executor should contact Social Security to report the death.