Get Social Security Survivor Benefits

Currently, Social Security pays dependent or survivor benefits only to students attending classes at grade 12 and below. Generally, benefits stop when a student reaches 18, unless the student is disabled or is still attending a secondary school grade 12 or below on a full-time basis.

This provision provides spousal benefits as long as the ex-spouse is still alive, and then survivor benefits kick in later on. ... This can have the effect of taking away Social Security spousal benefits for someone who remarries at 62 or later and has therefore already become eligible to take those benefits.

Annuity benefits for children end when the child reaches age 18, marries, or dies. Survivor annuities are payable through the end of the month prior to the date of the event which caused the loss of eligibility. For example, if the child turns 18 on June 29, benefits would end on May 31.

Spousal benefits are based on a living spouse or ex-spouse's work history. Survivor benefits are based on a deceased spouse or ex-spouse's work history. The maximum spousal benefit is 50% of the worker's full retirement age (FRA) benefit.

Generally, spouses and ex-spouses become eligible for survivor benefits at age 60 50 if they are disabled provided they do not remarry before that age. These benefits are payable for life unless the spouse begins collecting a retirement benefit that is greater than the survivor benefit.

If you are the divorced spouse of a worker who dies, you could get benefits the same as a widow or widower, provided that your marriage lasted 10 years or more. Benefits paid to you as a surviving divorced spouse won't affect the benefit amount for other survivors getting benefits on the worker's record.

These are examples of the benefits that survivors may receive: Widow or widower, full retirement age or older 100 percent of the deceased worker's benefit amount. Widow or widower, age 60 full retirement age 71½ to 99 percent of the deceased worker's basic amount.

Generally, spouses and ex-spouses become eligible for survivor benefits at age 60 50 if they are disabled provided they do not remarry before that age. These benefits are payable for life unless the spouse begins collecting a retirement benefit that is greater than the survivor benefit.

A widow or widower age 60 or older (age 50 or older if disabled) is eligible for Social Security survivor benefits provided the couple was married at least nine months. There is no age limit for a widow or widower caring for dependent children under age 16.

In most cases, a widow or widower qualifies for survivor benefits if he or she is at least 60 and had been married to the deceased for at least nine months at the time of death. ... If you are caring for children from the marriage who are under 16 or disabled, you can apply at any age.