Social Security

Here’s what happens to Social Security benefits after you die - and what your spouse gets

The Social Security Administration sends payments out to over 71 million Americans. Roughly 8% of them receive survivor benefits. Here’s how they work.

Greg Heilman

Update: May 27th, 2026 12:52 EDT

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Four years after the Social Security program was set up in 1935, amendments were put in place so that widows, orphans, and dependent parents could receive monthly survivor benefits based on the account of a worker who paid Social Security taxes before they died. Today, the Social Security Administration sends payments out to over 5.8 million survivors, making up roughly 8% of all beneficiaries.

Navigating Social Security survivor benefits

The SSA will determine the eligibility of someone who wishes to claim benefits based on a deceased worker’s Social Security entitlement looking at several factors. Widowed spouses, ex-spouses, orphans and dependent parents may all be eligible if they meet certain requirements.

Several people can claim on the same worker’s account, but the SSA sets a limit on how much a family can receive known as a “family maximum.” All members of the family claiming benefits count toward this limit except ex-spouses.

Spouses and ex-spouses

The SSA states that spouses and ex-spouses may be eligible for benefits if they are 60 or older, or in the case of disabled spouses between the ages of 50-59. Additionally, you were married at least 9 months before the spouse’s death and you didn’t remarry before age 60, or 50 in the case of those with a disability.

Ex-spouses can claim benefits on a former spouse’s account if they were married to the individual for at least ten years.

Age and length of time being married may not apply in some cases, like those who are raising a child of the person who died notes the SSA.

Children

Unmarried children may qualify for Social Security benefits if they are 17 or younger as well as those aged of 18 and 19 if they are in K-12 school full time. There is no age limit for children with a disability that developed before their 22 birthday.

Dependent parents

Parents whose child financially supported them before they died may be eligible to collect on that person’s account at age 62 or older.

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— Social Security (@SocialSecurity) May 11, 2026

How much do survivors get in benefits

The SSA stipulates the maximum percentage of benefits you can get depending what kind of survivor you are in relation to the worker or beneficiary who died. You can call the SSA to get an estimate at 1-800-772-1213 or TTY 1-800-325-0778.

A representative will walk widows or family members through the process. The phone line is open on weekdays between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Spouses and ex-spouses will be entitled to 71.5% of the deceased spouse’s benefit at first. The amount climbs the older you are when you claim reaching 100% when you reach full retirement age, 67 for those born in 1960 and later. Children typically get 75% of a parent’s benefit.

The SSA notes that spouses and some minor children could get a $255 lump-sum death payment as well.

It’s important that you speak with the SSA as soon as possible since survivor benefits are not generally paid retroactively. While the funeral home will send the death certificate to the SSA, you may want to facilitate the deceased’s Social Security number to them to help with the process.