Who Is Not Eligible for Survivor Benefits?

Survivor benefits are a type of Social Security that’s provided to families following the death of a wage earner. These payments are designed to offer financial continuity and support to the surviving dependents or beneficiaries of a deceased worker. However, not everyone can collect survivor benefits. Eligibility typically depends on several factors, including the deceased worker’s earned Social Security credits, the survivor’s relationship to the deceased, as well as their age or disability status.

A financial advisor can help you manage risk and plan for your family’s financial needs.

What Are Survivor Benefits?

Survivor benefits are payments provided to family members of a deceased worker who qualified for Social Security benefits. These benefits serve as a financial safety net for spouses, children, and sometimes parents who relied on the deceased person’s income. When someone who has worked and paid into Social Security passes away, their contributions can help support their loved ones during an already difficult time.

Not everyone automatically qualifies for survivor benefits. Typically, the deceased must have accumulated enough work credits through Social Security taxes. Surviving spouses may be eligible at age 60 (or 50 if disabled), and unmarried children under 18 (or up to 19 if still in high school) generally qualify. In some cases, dependent parents over 62 and former spouses may also receive benefits.

The amount of survivor benefits depends largely on the deceased’s earnings history and the survivor’s relationship to them. A surviving spouse at full retirement age might receive 100% of the deceased’s benefit amount, while younger spouses or those caring for eligible children receive reduced percentages. Children typically receive 75% of the deceased’s benefit, with family maximums capping the total amount payable.

Who Is Eligible for Survivor Benefits?

A woman is consoled after the death of her mother.

Various individuals can qualify for survivor benefits, including surviving spouses, divorced spouses, children and, in some cases, dependent parents. Here’s a look at the criteria for each category of survivor:

Spouse or ex-spouse: Surviving spouses can receive Social Security survivor benefits as early as age 60, or age 50 if disabled. To qualify, the marriage must have lasted at least nine months before the worker’s death, though exceptions exist for accidental deaths. Ex-spouses may also be eligible for survivor benefits if the marriage lasted at least 10 years and they haven’t remarried before age 60.

Children: Unmarried children of deceased workers can receive survivor benefits if they’re under 18, or up to age 19 if still attending high school full-time. Children with disabilities who began before age 22 may receive benefits indefinitely. Stepchildren, grandchildren and adopted children may also qualify under certain circumstances.

Parents: Parents who were financially dependent on their deceased child may be eligible for survivor benefits if they’re at least 62 years old. To qualify, the parent must have received at least half of their financial support from the deceased worker and cannot be eligible for a Social Security benefit that exceeds the survivor benefit.

In some cases, survivor benefits may be available even if the deceased worker didn’t accumulate the typically required 40 Social Security credits. Workers need only six credits in the three years before death for their family members to receive benefits. Additionally, one-time death payments of $255 may be available to surviving spouses or dependent children.

You may want to consult with an estate planning professional to help you understand how it works for your unique situation.

Common Misconceptions of Eligibility for Survivor Benefits

Misunderstandings about survivor benefits are common, leading to beneficiaries potentially missing out on these vital payments. One common misconception is that adult children are not eligible for survivor benefits. However, an unmarried child can receive benefits at any age if they were disabled before age 22 and remain disabled.

Another misconception is that parents cannot receive survivor benefits. However, a dependent parent of a deceased worker who was 62 or older may be eligible.

Similarly, there’s a common belief that extended family members and stepchildren cannot receive survivor benefits. Stepchildren can indeed be eligible if they were dependent on the deceased for at least half of their support. Grandchildren can also qualify if both of their parents are deceased or disabled, or if the grandchild was legally adopted by the grandparent.

How Much a Survivor May Receive in Benefits

A man shares a nice moment with his son while looking out and watching his grandchildren play in the yard.

The amount a survivor may receive in benefits varies depending on their relationship to the deceased. For example, a surviving spouse at full retirement age or older generally receives 100% of the deceased worker’s basic benefit amount, while those between age 60 and full retirement age receive between 71.5% and 99%. Surviving spouses can collect:

100% of the deceased worker’s benefit if they have reached full retirement age
Between 71.5% and 99% if they are between age 60 and full retirement age
Between 59.5% and 71.5% if they are between ages 50 and 59

Meanwhile, eligible children can receive up to 75% of the deceased worker’s basic Social Security benefit. Other eligible beneficiaries, like dependent parents, can receive about 82.5% (for one parent) or 75% (each for two parents) of the deceased’s benefit rate. Understanding these percentages can help survivors anticipate their potential benefits and plan their finances accordingly.

How Survivors Can Maximize Survivor Benefits

Understanding eligibility requirements is the first step toward maximizing survivor benefits, as they can significantly impact your financial stability during a difficult time. Here are four common things to keep in mind.

Timing matters: The age at which you claim survivor benefits can significantly impact the amount you receive. While you can claim benefits as early as age 60 (50 if disabled), waiting until full retirement age (currently 66 to 67, depending on your birth year) can maximize your benefits.

Work and benefits: If you plan to continue working while receiving survivor benefits, be aware of the earnings limit. Earning over a certain threshold could temporarily reduce your benefits.

Consider your own benefits: Survivors can potentially switch to their own retirement benefits later if they are higher than the survivor benefits. This strategy allows you to let your own benefits grow by delaying your claim to them.

Impact of remarrying: If you remarry before age 60 (or 50 if disabled), you typically won’t be eligible to collect survivor benefits from your former spouse. However, if the subsequent marriage ends, you may become eligible again.

Maximizing survivor benefits often involves complex decisions that depend on your unique circumstances. Working with a financial advisor who specializes in Social Security planning can help ensure you make choices that optimize your benefits.

Bottom Line

Survivor benefits play a crucial role in providing financial support to the surviving dependents or beneficiaries of a worker who passes away. Eligibility is determined by the deceased’s Social Security record, the survivor’s relationship to the deceased and their age or disability status. While surviving spouses and minor children are eligible for survivor benefits, dependent parents, stepchildren and grandchildren can also be eligible in certain scenarios.

Social Security Planning Tips

A financial advisor can help you plan for Social Security and potentially integrate your benefits into a retirement income plan. Finding a financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
Having a sense of how much your benefits will be worth can help you make the best decision about when to start collecting Social Security. SmartAsset’s Social Security calculator can help you estimate how much your benefits could be based on the age at which you collect.