INDIANA – When you get married, you hope to share a lifetime together. In our last blog, we discussed what happens when a marriage ends in divorce and the future no longer looks like you planned. In this entry, we want to talk about another kind of loss that can change the future you imagined: the death of a spouse.
Losing someone you love is never easy. Along with the emotional impact of grief, you may face questions and uncertainty about your financial future. During this difficult time, Social Security survivor benefits can provide important financial support.
You may be eligible for survivor benefits, even if you’re divorced, and meet the following requirements:
- Age:
- You may qualify if you are age 60 or older.
- If you have a disability and are unable to work, you may qualify as early as age 50.
- At any age, you may qualify if you’re caring for your deceased spouse’s child who is younger than 16 or who developed a disability before age 22.
- Employment:
- You may be able to work and receive survivor benefits, depending on your age and earnings. If you’re younger than full retirement age, an earnings limit applies.
- Benefit Status:
- If you already receive retirement or disability benefits on your own record, you may be eligible for survivor benefits if they are higher. You will receive the higher amount, not both.
How Much Will You Receive?
Survivor benefits are based on your spouse’s lifetime earnings. As a surviving spouse, the age you claim your benefits may be a contributing factor to your payment amount.
How to Apply for Survivor Benefits
- Call us at 1-800-772-1213 to discuss the $255 lump sum death payment and monthly benefits for you and your family.
- If you already receive spouse benefits, we will automatically convert your benefits into surviving spouse benefits and in most situations also pay the one-time lump sum payment.
- You cannot apply for survivor benefits online and will need to make an appointment by phone.
Survivor Benefits for Divorced Spouses
If you are divorced, you may still qualify for survivor benefits if:
- You were married to your former spouse for at least 10 years.
- You are at least age 60 (or 50 if you have a disability).
- You are single, unless you remarried after age 60.
Even if your former spouse had remarried, you may still be eligible for a survivor benefit.
Resources and Next Steps
- Visit our Survivor Benefits page or read our publication, Survivor Benefits, for more information.
- To schedule an appointment, get an estimate of your monthly benefit amount, or ask questions, call us at 1-800-772-1213. We have made it easier to get help when you call our National 800 Number. If you are reporting a death or applying for survivor benefits, you will be connected faster to staff who are trained to assist you.
Though we can’t ease the pain of losing someone you love, we’re here to help you understand the benefits available to support you and your family as you move forward.
