Social Security Matters – What’s The Best Way To Start Receiving My Survivor Benefit?

Social Security Matters by Rusty Gloor, National Social Security Advisor at the AMAC Foundation, the non-profit arm of the Association of Mature American Citizens

Dear Rusty: When one becomes a widow/widower, what is the most efficient way to start receiving the deceased’s monthly Social Security. Signed: Still Grieving

Dear Still Grieving: There is really only one way to start receiving surviving spouse benefits – you must contact Social Security directly to apply. You can call 1.800.772.1213 or call your local SS field office (find the number at www.ssa.gov/locator) to make an appointment to apply for your survivor benefits. These appointments are normally conducted over the phone, so a personal visit to the Social Security office isn’t usually necessary. 

The larger question to consider is when you should claim the survivor benefit. Like most other Social Security benefits, your age when you claim determines how much your survivor benefit will be. And a survivor benefit isn’t payable in all cases. Consider these points:

  • If the surviving spouse is already receiving their own SS retirement benefit and that is more than the deceased spouse was receiving, the surviving spouse continues to receive only their own higher benefit but will get a one-time lump sum death benefit of $255.
  • If the surviving spouse’s own benefit is less than the deceased was receiving, the surviving spouse’s benefit will be based on the higher amount.
  • If the surviving spouse has reached their full retirement age (FRA), the survivor’s benefit will be 100% of the amount the deceased was receiving. If the widow(er) has not yet reached their FRA when they claim their survivor benefit, the amount will be reduced (by 4.75% for each full year earlier than FRA). 
  • A survivor benefit reaches maximum at the survivor’s FRA. If the surviving spouse hasn’t yet reached FRA, they have the option to delay claiming their survivor benefit until it reaches maximum at their FRA. There is one exception to this: if the surviving spouse was already receiving only a spousal benefit from the deceased (and not their own SS retirement benefit), the survivor benefit will be automatically awarded regardless of the survivor’s age. 
  • If the surviving spouse hasn’t yet claimed their own SS retirement benefit, they have the option to claim only their survivor benefit first and permit their personal SS retirement benefit to grow (up to age 70). That would be prudent if the survivor’s own SS retirement benefit at age 70 will be higher than their maximum survivor benefit at their full retirement age.
  • If you haven’t yet reached your full retirement age and are still working, Social Security has an earnings test which limits how much you can earn before some benefits are taken away. The limit for 2023 is $21,240 and if that is exceeded, they will take away benefits equal to $1 for every $2 you are over the limit. The earnings test goes away when you reach your FRA.

So, as you can see, there are several things to consider as you decide when to claim your Social Security benefits as a widow or widower. I hope the above information helps you make an informed choice. 

This article is intended for information purposes only and does not represent legal or financial guidance. It presents the opinions and interpretations of the AMAC Foundation’s staff, trained and accredited by the National Social Security Association (NSSA). NSSA and the AMAC Foundation and its staff are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any other governmental entity. To submit a question, visit our website (amacfoundation.org/programs/social-security-advisory) or email us at ssadvisor@amacfoundation.org.

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6 COMMENTS

  2. Wah, wah, wah….. I want the government to give me my money *and* money for my spouse. #EndSocialismSecurity #SupportYourself #PlanForYourOwnRetirement

  3. Dear Tell the Truth, I have seen several like comments on these threads. First of all I had no choice that the federal government took money for Social Security out of my paycheck all my working career. If I had the option for opt out and invest that money I would have more money now, I did plan for my retirement and have additional income from investments. That being said the federal government gave me no choice but to pay into social security and when you become retirement age you are entitled to your benefit, and if your spouse paid in while you were raising children then yes you should be entitled to survivor benefits. Don’t belittle people for receiving benefits they have paid into. If you are working and paying into social security when you become that age feel free to let the government keep your money.

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