How do I get survivor benefits from social security now that I am no longer working?

Full question:

My Husband passed away in December 1908. I understand that I would be capable of drawing from the Social Security amount that he had paid in. I was working then and didn't think I needed it, but I am now no longer working at 78 and need funds so that I may be able to help me with my expenses. I do not have enough money to live on now. I am living on my Soc Sec at $1071 dollars a month.

• Category: Social Security
• Date: 04/07/2025
• State: Florida

Answer:

A widow or widower may be able to receive full benefits at full retirement age. The full retirement age for survivors is age 66 for people born in 1945-1956 and will gradually increase to age 67 for people born in 1962 or later. Reduced widow or widower benefits can be received as early as age 60. If your surviving spouse is disabled, benefits can begin as early as age 50.

If you are not currently getting Social Security benefits:

You should apply for survivors benefits promptly because, in some cases, benefits will be paid from the time you apply and not from the time the worker died.

You can apply by telephone or at any Social Security office. We will need certain information, but do not delay applying if you do not have everything. We will help you get what you need. We need either original documents or copies certified by the agency that issued them.

The information the Social Security Office needs includes:

•Proof of death—either from a funeral home or death certificate;
•Your Social Security number, as well as the deceased worker’s;
•Your birth certificate;
•Your marriage certificate, if you are a widow or widower;
•Your divorce papers, if you are applying as a divorced widow or widower;
•Dependent children’s Social Security numbers, if available, and birth certificates;
•Deceased worker’s W-2 forms or federal self-employment tax return for the most recent year; and
•The name of your bank and your account number so your benefits can be deposited directly into your account.

If you are already getting Social Security benefits

If you are getting benefits as a wife or husband based on your spouse’s work, when you report the death to the Social Security Office, they will change your payments to survivors benefits. If they need more information, they will contact you.

If you are getting benefits based on your own work, call or visit the Social Security Office, and they will check to see if you can get more money as a widow or widower. If so, you will receive a combination of benefits that equals the higher amount. You will need to complete an application to switch to survivors benefits, and they will need to see your spouse’s death certificate.

How much will I receive?

The benefit amount is based on the earnings of the person who died. The more the worker paid into Social Security, the greater your benefits will be.

Social Security uses the deceased worker’s basic benefit amount and calculates what percentage survivors are entitled to. The percentage depends on the survivors’ ages and relationship to the worker. If the person who died was receiving reduced benefits, your survivor’s benefit is based on that amount. Here are the most typical situations:

•A widow or widower, at full retirement age or older, generally receives 100 percent of the worker’s basic benefit amount;
•A widow or widower, age 60 or older, but under full retirement age, receives about 71-99 percent of the worker’s basic benefit amount; or
•A widow or widower, any age, with a child younger than age 16, receives 75 percent of the worker’s benefit amount.
•Children receive 75 percent of the worker’s benefit amount.