Retirement Retirement Planning

6 Social Security Myths About Survivor Benefits, Busted

Who qualifies for Social Security Survivor Benefits, and how much will they receive?

Funeral service and flowers
Updated Sept. 24, 2024
Fact checked

We receive compensation from the products and services mentioned in this story, but the opinions are the author's own. Compensation may impact where offers appear. We have not included all available products or offers. Learn more about how we make money and our editorial policies.

We work and pay into Social Security while we’re working, but what happens to our benefits when we die? They aren’t always lost.

Surviving family members may qualify to receive a portion of those benefits. These monthly payments are called Survivor Benefits, but there are rules for who can receive them and how much they’ll get. For many, this is a way to supplement their income.

There are several misconceptions about Social Security Survivor Benefits. We’ve busted some of the most common myths.

Earn cash back on everyday purchases with this rare account

Want to earn cash back on your everyday purchases without using a credit card? With the Discover®️ Cashback Debit Checking account (member FDIC), you can earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month!1

With no credit check to apply and no monthly fees to worry about, you can earn nearly passive income on purchases you’re making anyway — up to an extra $360 a year!

This rare checking account has other great perks too, like access to your paycheck up to 2 days early with Early Pay, no minimum deposit or monthly balance requirements, over 60K fee-free ATMs, and the ability to add cash to your account at Walmart stores nationwide.

Don’t leave money on the table — it only takes minutes to apply and it won’t impact your credit score.

Apply for a Discover Cashback Checking account today

SB Arts Media/Adobe Mother and daughter crying

Some people believe that when their spouse dies, their

Social Security benefits die with them, but that’s not usually the case. Eligible surviving spouses and dependents are entitled to a percentage of the deceased worker’s benefit amount.

The amount surviving family members receive depends on several factors, including the deceased’s work history and the number of family members who are eligible.

Social Security Survivor Benefits are sent monthly, and eligible family members might also qualify for a Social Security Lump Sum Death Payment (LSDP) of $255. Surviving family members must apply for this payment within two years of the deceased’s death.

Myth: Children never qualify for benefits

esthermm/Adobe Sad child hugging his mother

Unmarried children aged 17 and younger typically qualify for Survivor Benefits. In some cases, grandchildren and stepchildren may also qualify. However, certain criteria must be met. Form SSA-4 includes important information on how to apply for benefits for children.

Children can receive up to 75% of the deceased worker’s benefit amount. The exact percentage may be lower, depending on the number of family members who qualify. Payment amounts might be limited when there are several surviving dependents. That’s because payments are limited to the family maximum, which is generally between 150% and 188% of the deceased worker's benefit.

Myth: You can’t get Survivor Benefits if you’re divorced

Photographee.eu/Adobe Female retiree in mourning

Many surviving divorced spouses qualify for Survivor Benefits. With no children, divorced spouses must be at least 60 years old (at least 50 if you have a disability), and you must have been married for at least 10 years.

However, if you are the caregiver of a child 16 or younger (or of an eligible older dependent who has a disability), you may qualify for benefits, regardless of your age or how long you were married. To qualify, the child must be the legal child of you and your deceased ex-spouse.

Earn $200 cash rewards bonus with this incredible card

There's a credit card that's making waves with its amazing bonus and benefits. The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card(Rates and fees) has no annual fee and you can earn $200 after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.

The Active Cash Card puts cash back into your wallet. Cardholders can earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases — easy! That's one of the best cash rewards options available.

This card also offers an intro APR of 0% for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers (then 19.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% Variable). Which is great for someone who wants a break from high interest rates, while still earning rewards.

The best part? There's no annual fee.

Click here to apply now.

Myth: Parents can never qualify for benefits

StockPhotoPro/Adobe Sad old woman mourning

Some surviving parents qualify for a percentage of their deceased child’s worker benefits. However, to qualify parents must be at least 62 years old, and their child must have provided at least half of their support.

Myth: Survivor Benefits stop when a child turns 18

Rene L/peopleimages.com/Adobe Woman in wheelchair thinking

In some circumstances, surviving children can continue receiving Survivor Benefits once they turn 18. Children may receive benefits at 18 and 19 years old if they are a full-time student in grade 12 or below. College and trade-school students do not qualify for this age exception.

Children who were diagnosed with a disability before the age of 22 may continue receiving Survivor Benefits after they turn 18. Surviving children with disabilities do not need to be full-time students to receive benefits.

Myth: You can never get Survivor Benefits if you remarry

WavebreakMediaMicro/Adobe senior couple at wedding

Not everyone who remarries loses their deceased spouse’s benefits. If you are 60 or older, remarrying will not cause you to lose your share of your ex-spouse’s worker’s benefits. If you are disabled, you may still qualify for Survivor Benefits if you remarry at age 50 or older.

Widows and widowers can only collect Survivor Benefits from one deceased spouse at a time. So, you will not qualify for a double payment if your subsequent spouse dies. However, your Survivor Benefit amount may be based on both deceased spouses’ work records.

Myth: Your earnings never affect benefits

Tetiana/Adobe upset senior man

Your Survivor Benefit amount may change if your income changes before you reach full retirement age. The full retirement age is 67 for survivors born in 1960 or later. If you haven’t yet reached full retirement age, the Social Security Administration will deduct $1 from every $2 you earn above the limit, which is currently $22,320.

Your income will not cause you to lose Survivor Benefits completely, and not all income counts for the purpose of determining your monthly benefit amount. Income earned from capital gains, investments, and interest do not count. Neither do other government benefits. Income from wages, net earnings from self-employment income, and employer contributions to retirement plans do count.

Bottom line

fizkes/Adobe middle aged entrepreneur woman talking on cellphone

The worker’s benefit amount is based on their earnings while they were alive. Generally, the more you earn, the higher your benefit, and the more your loved ones will receive in Survivor Benefits. The Social Security Administration website has tools for estimating Survivor Benefits.

You cannot apply for Survivor Benefits online. You should contact the Social Security Administration to set up an appointment. The Administration will ask you to provide information about yourself, including your recent work history and past and current marriages. They will also ask you about eligible children and for your bank information to set up direct deposit.

You may need to go to the local office in person, but some appointments are done over the phone. It’s not typically necessary to apply for Survivor Benefits if you are already receiving Family benefits. The amount and type of benefits are generally updated automatically.

While the loss of a spouse or parent can be devastating, Survivor Benefits may help pay the bills until you become eligible for your own Social Security benefits.

Lucrative, Flat-Rate Cash Rewards

5.0
info

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Current Offer

$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months

Annual Fee

$0

Rewards Rate

Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases

Benefits and Drawbacks
Card Details


Author Details

Katelyn Washington

Katelyn Washington is a writer with a passion for finance and business. She put herself through business school as a single mother of three and has had pieces commissioned by national magazines. When she’s not writing, she enjoys spending time with her family and editing manuscripts for indie authors.