Five Things You Need to Know About Social Security Survivor Benefits

Did you know that about one out of every eleven Social Security recipients is collecting survivor benefits? While Social Security was originally created to provide retirement benefits to American workers, it was quickly adapted to extend benefits to a deceased worker’s spouse, children, and, in some rare cases, their aged parents.

With nearly six million people receiving survivor benefits, it’s important to understand how this program works. AARP compiled five things you need to know:

1. There is no rush to apply. You don’t have to apply for survivor benefits within a set time after your partner’s passing or at your earliest eligibility age.
2. You can collect survivor benefits even if your spouse had not yet claimed Social Security at the time of death. 
3. You cannot apply online. Unlike with retirement benefits, you can only file for survivor benefits in person at a Social Security field office or by phone.
4. You cannot double dip. Social Security will not add benefits together, so you cannot collect both a retirement benefit and a survivor benefit. Social Security will determine which payment is higher and send you that amount. 
5. The children of deceased workers may be able to collect survivor benefits of up to 75 percent of what their late parent was getting (or would have been entitled to get) from Social Security. However, there are certain age restrictions.

It’s plain to see that retirees aren’t the only ones who rely on Social Security benefits. That is why it’s more important than ever that Congress enact the Social Security Expansion Act. It will provide a $200 monthly benefits boost, establish a fairer cost-of-living adjustment and shore up the long-term solvency of Social Security. The Seniors Trust is a strong supporter of this bill.