When an individual receiving Social Security benefits passes, the surviving spouse is eligible for survivor benefits. However, there are a few things surviving spouses should know.

How to Qualify

To qualify for survivor benefits, the widow or widower must be at least 60 years old. In addition, they must have been married to the deceased for a minimum of 9 months at time of death.

Although these are the general requirements, there are a few exceptions including:

• There is no minimum length of marriage requirement if the beneficiary’s death was accidental or happened while serving in the U.S. military.
• Survivor benefits can be applied for if the surviving spouse is at least 50 years old and disabled. However, the disability must have occurred within 7 years of the spouse’s death.
• The surviving spouse can also apply at any age if they are caring for children who are under 16 or are disabled.

Receiving Benefits

It is important to remember that individuals will not receive both their own benefits as well as the benefits of the spouse who passed away. Rather, they will only receive the “higher of the two amounts.” However, this can create some problems for the surviving individual.

Many senior citizens and retirees rely on Social Security benefits as a major source of income. In fact, according to ssa.gov, 50% of married senior beneficiaries rely on their benefits for at least half of their income.

In this situation, rather than helping surviving spouses cope with their loss, Social Security provides unease. Often surviving spouses worry about making rent/mortgage and other necessary payments with a now reduced income.

We Can Help

Therefore right number 6 of The Senior Citizens Bill of Rights enshrines that spouses will “no longer have their earned benefits reduced when one member of the household passes away.”

This right allows senior citizens and retirees to have more confidence and security in their finances.

Join us in urging politicians in Washington to pass The Senior Citizens Bill of Rights and help us take a step towards a more financially secure future for all senior citizens.