It’s never easy to imagine the circumstances that lead to collecting Social Security survivor benefits. Still, understanding how these payments work can help provide financial reassurance for your family during an already challenging time. 

An Ameriprise financial advisor can guide you through the decisions involved so you don’t have to navigate them alone. Here are answers to frequently asked questions about survivor benefits. 

What are Social Security survivor benefits? 

Social Security survivor benefits are monthly payments paid to a surviving spouse or dependent of anyone who worked and paid Social Security taxes before they died. The benefit amount depends on the deceased’s average lifetime earnings.  

Learn more: Understanding Social Security benefits 

Who is eligible for Social Security survivor benefits? 

You may be considered a survivor for Social Security purposes if you’re the spouse, divorced spouse, child or dependent parent of someone who worked and paid Social Security taxes before they died. More specifically, you may be eligible for Social Security survivor benefits if you are: 

• A widow or widower who is age 60 or older (or age 50 or older and disabled) 
• A widow or widower of any age caring for a child of the deceased, if the child is under the age of 16 or disabled 
• A surviving divorced spouse (under certain circumstances) 
• A dependent parent who is age 62 or older 
• An unmarried child of the deceased who is either: 
  • Under age 18 (or 19 if they are a full-time student in an elementary or secondary school) 
  • 18 years or older with a disability that occurred before age 22 

Who is not eligible for Social Security survivor benefits? 

While a surviving divorced spouse is eligible in some circumstances, an ex-spouse is not eligible for survivor benefits if they were married to the deceased for less than 10 years or if they remarried before the age of 60. 

How much will a surviving spouse receive? 

How much a surviving spouse will receive will depend on whether they’re already collecting Social Security retirement benefits or not: 

• If you’re already receiving Social Security: You will receive a survivor benefit only if the amount is higher than your own current retirement payment. A surviving spouse cannot receive both retirement and survivor benefits concurrently, which is one reason why it’s important to consider when each spouse will claim Social Security retirement benefits. However, a surviving spouse can apply for survivor benefits as soon as they are eligible and later switch to their own retirement benefit amount if it’s higher.  
• If you’re not yet receiving Social Security: The amount you receive in survivor benefits will depend on several factors, including your deceased spouse’s lifetime earnings and when they claimed their Social Security retirement benefit. (For example, if your spouse claimed their Social Security retirement benefit before they reached their full retirement age, you would receive the same reduced benefit amount.) The age at which you choose to receive survivor benefits can also affect the payout amount. Payments for eligible widows or widowers start at 71.5% of the spouse’s benefit and increase the longer you wait to apply, up to 100% when you reach your full retirement age for survivor benefits, which are typically ages 66 or 67.  

How much will an eligible child receive? 

Children who are eligible for Social Security survivor benefits typically get 75% of the parent's benefit, though there's a limit to how much a family can receive, known as the “family maximum.” Because the rules around the family maximum can be complex and affect beneficiaries in different ways, visit the Social Security Administration’s website for the latest guidance. 

We’re here to help you navigate survivor benefits 

If you lose a loved one, know that your Ameriprise financial advisor is here to help and guide you through the process of applying for Social Security survivor benefits.