SSI Surviving Spouse Benefits

When a Social Security recipient dies, his spouse may become eligible for survivor's benefits from the U.S. Social Security Administration. In general, all surviving spouses are eligible to receive a one-time death benefit from Social Security, and others can receive monthly payments up to the full amount of their deceased spouse's benefits if certain age requirements are met. The Social Security Administration pays surviving spouse benefits as a way to protect widows or widowers from financial hardship.

One-Time Benefit

The surviving spouse of a deceased Social Security recipient is eligible to receive a one-time death benefit in the amount of $255. In general, this benefit is paid to the spouses of all Social Security recipients ,regardless of their age or work history. In the event there is no surviving spouse, this benefit is not paid unless the deceased had children under the age of 18.

Eligibility for Monthly Benefits

Surviving spouses can receive monthly Social Security benefits based on the work history of their deceased spouse, provided that age requirements are met. The Social Security Administration mandates that a surviving spouse with no minor children be at least 60 years old before collecting benefits unless she is disabled, in which case benefits can begin at age 50.

For surviving spouses with children of the deceased, Social Security survivor's benefits can be paid regardless of age.

Amount of Monthly Benefits

The amount of monthly survivor's benefits is based on the work history of the deceased. The more money he paid into Social Security, the more his spouse will receive in survivor's benefits.

The benefit amount is based on the age of the surviving spouse when she begins collecting the benefits. A surviving spouse at full retirement age (65 to 70, depending on the year of birth) will receive 100 percent of his spouse's benefit. A spouse who begins collecting benefits between the ages of 60 and 69 will receive 70 percent to 99 percent of her spouse's full benefit.

Conditions of Monthly Benefits

In general, a surviving spouse will file for and receive survivor's benefits only if the amount of those benefits is greater than the amount of his own Social Security benefits. In no case can a person receive her own monthly Social Security benefits in addition to survivor's benefits.

In addition, a surviving spouse who remarries before the age of 60 generally cannot collect survivor's benefits from his first spouse. Remarriage after the age of 60 entitles a person to the survivor's benefits of her first spouse or the regular benefit of her second spouse, depending on which is greater.

Applying for Monthly Benefits

An application for monthly benefits can be made by calling the Social Security Administration at [phone] or by visiting the local office. If you are applying for survivor's benefits, you will need to show proof of marriage and death as well as Social Security cards for you and your deceased spouse.