Retirement Social Security

5 Social Security Benefits Most Seniors Never Claim

Overlooked benefits can provide extra income to retirees and their families.

By Lee Huffman

Edited by Kristy DeSmit

Updated March 18, 2026

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When most seniors think about Social Security, they focus on the monthly checks they'll receive in retirement. However, the program includes several lesser-known benefits that can significantly increase retirement income or provide financial protection for families.

Many eligible seniors miss these opportunities simply because they never realize they qualify. Understanding these overlooked provisions can help you claim every dollar the system allows. Learn about the Social Security benefits most seniors never claim and how you can qualify for extra money to boost your senior benefits.

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Spousal benefits

If one spouse earned significantly more than the other during their career, you may be able to collect Social Security benefits based on their earnings instead of your own. At full retirement age, a spouse can receive up to 50% of their partner's primary insurance amount, even if they have little or no personal earnings history.

This provision often surprises retirees who spent years out of the workforce going to school, raising children, or caring for family members. As long as the higher-earning spouse has filed for their own retirement benefit, you may be eligible for a spousal benefit. If you also qualify for your own retirement benefit, Social Security compares the two options and generally pays the higher amount.

Claiming before full retirement age not only reduces how much the primary earner receives, but it also reduces the spousal benefit (unless they're caring for a qualifying child). So, it pays to delay filing for Social Security benefits at least until full retirement age. Waiting longer increases the primary earner's benefit, but not the spousal benefit.

Review both spouses' potential benefits to determine the most effective claiming strategy for your household.

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Divorced spousal benefits

When couples divorce, they typically separate their finances and split communal assets. However, becoming divorced does not necessarily end your eligibility for spousal benefits. If your marriage lasted at least 10 years and you are currently unmarried, you may still qualify for benefits based on your former spouse's earnings record.

Many retirees overlook this option because they assume the ex-spouse must approve the claim or that the request could affect their benefits. In reality, Social Security allows you to apply independently. And more importantly, the former spouse is not notified that you're claiming your share of Social Security benefits. Your claim also does not reduce or change the benefits your ex receives, so they won't know that you're claiming benefits based on their work history.

If your ex-spouse's retirement benefit is larger than your own, you may receive up to 50% of their full retirement age benefit once you reach eligibility. You will not receive additional money if they delay filing past full retirement age. For people who had lower lifetime earnings, this provision can significantly increase retirement income.

Surviving spouse benefits

When a spouse dies, Social Security allows the surviving spouse to claim survivor benefits based on the deceased worker's record. In most situations, the surviving spouse can receive up to 100% of the benefit the deceased spouse was collecting or what they were entitled to receive.

Survivor benefits can begin as early as age 60. However, if you claim benefits early, that may reduce how much you'll get each month.

As a surviving spouse, you have a unique opportunity to maximize your retirement income by switching retirement checks. Some retirees claim survivor benefits first, while delaying their own retirement benefit until age 70. This allows the benefits earned based on their own work history to continue to grow by 8% each year (up to age 70) with delayed retirement credits.

Understanding how these two benefit streams interact can help you maximize total retirement income after the loss of a spouse. For many widows and widowers, survivor benefits become a crucial financial safety net.

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Benefits for dependents of retirees

Many retirees are surprised to learn that Social Security may also provide benefits for certain dependents. If you receive retirement benefits and still have children who qualify, those children may be eligible for additional payments based on your work record.

Minor children under age 18 may qualify, as well as high school students under 19 who have not yet graduated. Adult children with disabilities that began before age 22 may also qualify for benefits.

These dependent benefits can equal up to about 50% of your full retirement benefit, although total payments are subject to a family maximum set by Social Security. For retirees raising grandchildren, caring for disabled children, or supporting younger dependents, this provision can provide meaningful financial support.

Lump-sum death benefit

One of the smallest but most overlooked Social Security benefits is the lump-sum death payment. When a Social Security beneficiary dies, the agency may pay a one-time benefit of $255 to certain survivors.

This payment usually goes to a surviving spouse who lived with the deceased at the time of death. If there is no eligible spouse, a child who qualifies for survivor benefits may receive the payment instead.

Because the amount is modest and the claim process is not automatic, many eligible families never request it. However, the Social Security Administration allows survivors to claim the benefit as long as the request is made within two years of the death.

Bottom line

Social Security benefits include far more than just a monthly retirement check. Spousal benefits, survivor benefits, dependent payments, and even one-time benefits can add meaningful income for your retirement. Many retirees overlook these options because they don't know they exist or they assume they don't qualify. Take time to understand these lesser-known provisions and receive extra income that can bolster your retirement plan.

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