US Social Security
Benefits and Disability Assistance

Social Security Survivors

When a person who has worked and paid Social Security taxes dies, certain members of the family may be eligible for survivors benefits.

Up to ten years of work is needed to be eligible for benefits, depending on the person's age at the time of death.

Who is eligible for survivors benefits

Social Security survivors benefits can be paid to:

     * A widow or widower -- full benefits at full retirement age, or reduced
        benefits as early as age 60
     * A disabled widow or widower -- as early as age 50
     * A widow or widower at any age if he or she takes care of the deceased's
       child who is under age 16 or disabled, and receiving Social Security
        benefits
     * Unmarried children under 18, or up to age 19 if they are attending high
        school full time.  Under certain circumstances, benefits can be paid to
        stepchildren, grandchildren, or  adopted children.
     * Children at any age who were disabled before age 22 and remain disabled.
     * Dependent parents age 62 or older

Note: If you are divorced, you may still qualify for survivors benefits.

You can receive Social Security survivors benefits and work at the same time. However, depending on your age, your benefits could be reduced if you earn more than certain amounts.

How divorce affects survivors benefits

If your divorced spouse dies, you can receive benefits as a widow/widower if the marriage lasted 10 years or longer and you are age 60 or older (or age 50 if you are disabled.)

Benefits paid to a surviving divorced spouse who is 60 or older (age 50 if disabled) will not affect the benefit rates for other survivors receiving benefits.

Note: You do not have to meet the length-of-marriage rule if you are caring for a child under age 16 or disabled who is getting benefits on the record of your former spouse. (The child must be your former spouse's natural or legally adopted child.) However, if you qualify because you have the worker's child in your care, your benefit will affect the benefit amounts of others on the worker's record.