Widow(er) Benefits (Social Security)
Monthly Social Security benefits paid to the surviving spouse of a worker who has died, based on the worker's Social Security record.
Official source: ssa.gov
## Key facts
- Reduced benefit: claiming at age 60 results in a permanent reduction of up to about 28.5% of the deceased's benefit. - Full survivor benefit: available at the survivor's Full Retirement Age (66 to 67 depending on birth year). - Disabled widow(er) benefit: available as early as age 50 if the survivor became disabled within 7 years of the worker's death. - Remarrying before age 60 (or 50 if disabled) generally ends survivor benefits. Remarrying at 60 or later does not affect eligibility. - Strategy: a surviving spouse can claim their own reduced retirement benefit first, then switch to the full survivor benefit at FRA, or vice versa. - Surviving divorced spouses who were married 10 or more years generally have the same rights as a current spouse.
Frequently asked questions about Widow(er) Benefits (Social Security)
What are Widow(er) Benefits?+
Monthly Social Security survivor benefits paid to the surviving spouse of a deceased worker who was insured under Social Security.
At what age can I claim?+
As early as age 60, or 50 if you are disabled. The full benefit is available at your Full Retirement Age.
Does remarriage affect benefits?+
Remarrying before age 60 (or 50 if disabled) generally ends survivor benefits. Remarrying at 60 or later does not.
How do I apply?+
Apply by phone with SSA at 1-800-772-1213 or at your local SSA office. Survivor benefits cannot currently be applied for online.
Source: ssa.gov