What Happens to Your Social Security Benefit When Your Spouse Dies?

The Motley Fool ^ | Trevor Jennewine

[where's_the_Outrage?]

Social Security benefits are the major source of income for most people over age 65, according to the Social Security Administration. That means living standards in later life can depend heavily on how well retired workers and spouses understand the program.

Unfortunately, misunderstandings are all too common. A recent survey from Nationwide Retirement Institute found that 44% of adults were unaware that, upon the death of a spouse, the surviving spouse would inherit the bigger Social Security benefit.

Social Security old-age and survivor benefits is a broad term that includes two subcategories: retired-worker benefits, and benefits for spouses and other family members. They share certain things in common. For instance, eligibility begins at age 62 in both cases. But there are important differences married couples should understand.........

When a married person dies while receiving Social Security retirement benefits, the surviving spouse is eligible for survivors benefits if he or she satisfies certain conditions. The most common qualifications are as follows:

The surviving spouse must be at least 60 years old (or 50 years old with a disability).

The surviving spouse must not remarry before age 60 (or age 50 with a disability).

The Social Security Administration must be notified when a beneficiary dies. In most cases, the funeral home will handle the reporting, but the surviving spouse can also report the event by contacting the local Social Security office. Once that's done, the surviving spouse can begin receiving a survivors benefit in place of his or her current benefit.

[where's_the_Outrage?]

My wife is significantly younger than me and from my research it looks like if I pass she'll get zip from SS until over a decade later when she turns 60.

On the plus side that means I'm worth more to her alive than dead.

[Bobbyvotes]

You get nothing more if your benefits are already higher than hers.

[Dr. Sivana]

The upshot is that married couples generally receive two revenue streams from Social Security. In some cases, that means two retired-worker benefits. In other cases, it means one retired-worker benefit and one spousal benefit. Regardless, when one spouse dies, one of those revenue streams disappears. But the surviving spouse can generally then receive the higher of the two payouts as the survivors benefit.

My wife is considerably younger than I am. Only marriage for both of us. We still have a minor child at home. My wife has always been a 100% home-maker. My understanding is that if I die, she gets a survivor benefit that is equivalent to SS until she is older.

In any event, I expect to put off drawing SS until 70, to maximize her benefit as she should long out live me, and my benefit is her benefit.

[Chainmail]

You too? My wife is also a lot younger than me and as I am starting that slide towards eternity, I worry about what will happen with her.

Younger wives give up an awful lot by loving us older farts.

[Hyman Roth]

Social Security is the biggest Ponzi scheme on the face of the earth

[napscoordinator]

What people fail to realize is that the taxes paid by individuals are not a savings account, but a fund to support current elderly people. I always am mystified by those who say, “I want what I put in.” lol. That’s gone to your parents and grandparents.

[where's_the_Outrage?]

That's not my understanding, she has to wait until she's 60:

When a married person dies while receiving Social Security retirement benefits, the surviving spouse is eligible for survivors benefits if he or she satisfies certain conditions. The most common qualifications are as follows:

The surviving spouse must be at least 60 years old

[where's_the_Outrage?]

My wife has never worked in the USA so the only benefits she can get are mine. And from what I’ve read she won’t be eligible to get any of my SS benefits until she turns 60, and then it’s at 50%.

[hardspunned]

Assuming my wife and Social Security outlive me, my wife’s benefit will nearly double.

[Sacajaweau]

Can they ten will it to someone else??

[Fido969]

When she hits 60, though, watch out!

[sauropod]

There is that.

[Empire_of_Liberty]

FDR was a pig of a human being. Social Security appeals to the worst in humanity.

[drSteve78]

Can they then will it to someone else??

No, it is not an asset. One reason that it’s in the government’s best interest to have you die.

[telescope115]

Back in the ‘90s, the foreman where I worked retired, and on his last day he told us younger guys “ You guys keep working, my SS depends on it…”

Now I’m retired, and I’m saying that to younger people, lol.

[Bobbyvotes]

And she will get benefits from your higher social security benefits even if you get divorced, if you were married for 10+ years (I am going by memory on this number).

[budj]

It's simple.

[damper99]

Your wife won’t get the benefit level that you got by deferring to age 70. They will scale it back to what would have been your benefit at your full retirement age (probably 67 for you).

[TexasGator]

ssa.gov

When a worker files for retirement benefits, the worker’s spouse may be eligible for a benefit based on the worker’s earnings. Another requirement is that the spouse must be at least age 62 or have a qualifying child in her/his care. By a qualifying child, we mean a child who is under age 16 or who receives Social Security disability benefits.

[pawpawrick]

My wife and I are in our mid 70s and have been married 30 years. my SS benefit is higher than hers. So she gets my benefits and loses hers when I pass away?