How Social Security Changes for a Surviving Spouse

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Few people want to think about losing a spouse. Still, for retirees, that loss can create a serious financial strain, making it important to understand how Social Security may be affected.

For many older adults, Social Security is a major part of retirement income. When a spouse dies, those benefits can change. Here is what to expect and how to plan ahead.

What surviving spouses may receive

A surviving spouse may qualify for survivor benefits as early as age 60, though taking them that early usually means reduced payments. Full survivor benefits, which can equal as much as 100% of the deceased spouse’s benefit, are generally available at full retirement age, which is 66 or 67. In some cases, a surviving spouse can qualify at any age if caring for a child under 16 or a child with a disability.

If you are already getting benefits based on your spouse’s work record, the Social Security Administration will switch your payments to survivor benefits. If your current benefit is based on your own earnings, the agency says you should contact it directly.

In a recent guide, the agency explained that it will determine whether a surviving spouse is eligible for a higher amount. If so, the person will receive a combination of benefits equal to the larger payment.

Usually, a couple must have been married for at least nine months for survivor benefits to apply, although there is an exception when the death results from an accident. Divorced spouses may also qualify if the marriage lasted at least 10 years.

Ways to increase the benefit

The maximum survivor benefit is tied to the higher earner’s Social Security amount. Because benefits can grow the longer someone waits to claim them, delaying a claim can raise the eventual survivor benefit.

That is why the spouse with the higher lifetime earnings may want to wait until age 70 to claim Social Security, depending on the family’s circumstances. The spouse with lower earnings might claim earlier. This approach, in which spouses claim at different ages, is often called a split strategy.

Preparing for the income loss

These conversations are difficult, but planning for the drop in household income after one spouse dies can make couples better prepared for the future. Even with survivor benefits, the surviving spouse will no longer have both benefits supporting the household.

Some households use life insurance to help replace the income that would be lost from Social Security. Saving more during working years can also create more flexibility in retirement.

Reviewing your finances now can help you avoid surprises later. Social Security’s website includes calculators that estimate retirement and survivor benefits, giving couples a clearer picture as they plan ahead.