When A Husband Dies Does The Wife Get His Social Security Disability?

When A Husband Dies Does The Wife Get His Social Security Disability - Social Security Death Benefits For Spouse

When a husband dies does the wife get his social security disability?

In this article, you’ll learn about: 

  • if you can get your husband’s Social Security Disability when he passes
  • when you’re able to collect that money
  • how survivor benefits work
  • what happens to your husband’s Social Security when he dies
  • who is entitled to death benefits
  • how much Social Security Disability a widow can receive
  • how to notify Social Security of the death
  • how to apply for the death benefits
  • can you collect BOTH yours and your husband’s

Let’s dig in.

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When A Husband Dies Does The Wife Get His Social Security Disability?

When a husband dies, his wife can get his Social Security Disability benefits if she is at least 60 years old, or 50 if she is disabled. 

If the wife is caring for the deceased husband’s child who is under 16 or disabled, she can get benefits at any age. 

The amount she gets depends on her age and the type of benefit she qualifies for.

The amount a surviving spouse receives from Social Security depends on several factors:

  • Her Age: If the wife waits until her full retirement age (which varies depending on her birth year, but is between 66 and 67 for those born after 1954), she can receive 100% of the deceased spouse’s benefit amount. If she chooses to start receiving benefits before her full retirement age, the benefit amount will be reduced.
  • Type of Benefit: If the wife is eligible for retirement benefits on her own record, she can choose to switch to her own retirement benefit as early as age 62. This amount could be higher or lower than the survivor’s benefit she is currently receiving. If it’s higher, she might opt for her own retirement benefit.
  • Caring for a Child: If the wife is caring for a child of the deceased spouse who is under 16 or disabled, she can receive 75% of the deceased spouse’s benefit amount, regardless of her age.

Read More: What Happens To A House When The Owner Dies And There Is No Will?

When Can A Widow Collect Her Husband's Social Security?

A widow can start collecting her husband’s Social Security as early as age 60

However, the benefit amount will be reduced if collected before the full retirement age. 

At full retirement age, which is between 66 and 67 depending on birth year, she can receive 100% of the deceased husband’s benefit. 

If the widow is disabled, she can collect as early as age 50. 

There are exceptions for those who are caring for the deceased’s child under the age of 16 or disabled, in which case benefits can be collected at any age. 

If the widow remarries before age 60, or 50 if disabled, she cannot receive survivor benefits while married. 

If the remarriage occurs after these ages, survivor benefits continue unchanged.

Read More: Am I Entitled To My Husband’s Property If He Dies And My Name Isn’t On The Deed?

What Is Social Security Disability?

Social Security Disability is a U.S. federal program. 

It gives financial aid to people who cannot work due to a severe medical condition. 

This condition must last at least a year or result in death.

First, you need to apply for the Social Security Disability benefit. 

The Social Security Administration (SSA) reviews your application. 

They check your work history and the details of your disability.

Your work history matters because you earn ‘work credits’ over time. 

These credits come from paying Social Security taxes through your job. 

You usually need 40 credits, with 20 earned in the last 10 years, to qualify. 

Younger workers might qualify with fewer credits.

The SSA also looks at the severity of your disability. 

They check if it’s on their list of medical conditions

If it’s not, they decide if it’s as severe as those that are.

If the SSA approves your application, you get monthly benefits. 

The amount depends on your earnings record. 

It helps replace some of the income you lost because you can’t work.

If you start working again or your health improves, your benefits might stop. 

The SSA regularly checks to make sure you still qualify. 

But if you become disabled again, you might be able to restart your benefits.

Family members, like your spouse or child, might also get benefits if you’re disabled. 

They may qualify based on your work record.

In short, Social Security Disability is a safety net. 

It provides help when you can’t work due to a severe and long-term health condition.

Read More: When A Husband Dies Does The Wife Get His Social Security Disability?

How Do Survivor Benefits Work For Social Security Disability?

Survivor benefits are part of the U.S. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program. 

They offer financial assistance to family members when an SSDI recipient passes away.

Here’s how SSDI survivor benefits operate:

  • The SSDI recipient’s work history and payments to Social Security determine their eligibility to provide survivor benefits. The benefit amount is related to the deceased’s SSDI benefit.
  • When an SSDI recipient dies, certain family members might qualify for survivor benefits. These include a surviving spouse who is 60 or older or a spouse of any age caring for the deceased’s child who is under 16 or disabled. Unmarried children younger than 18, or between 18 and 19 and still in high school, or 18 or older with a disability that began before age 22, can also qualify.
  • The Social Security Administration determines the benefits as a percentage of the deceased’s basic SSDI benefit. Typically, a widow or widower at full retirement age or older can receive 100% of the deceased’s benefit amount. A widow or widower aged 60 or older but under full retirement age generally gets about 71-99% of the benefit. A widow or widower of any age with a child under age 16 can get 75%, and an eligible child can receive 75%.
  • Surviving family members should apply for survivor benefits as soon as possible. Delaying applications could lead to reduced benefits.
  • When applying, the Social Security Administration often needs documents to confirm a relationship to the deceased and the deceased’s work history, among other information. It’s important to have these documents ready.
  • Survivor benefits can provide vital financial support for a deceased SSDI recipient’s family, assisting with income loss and living expenses.

What Happens To Social Security When Spouse Dies?

When a spouse dies, Social Security provides two types of potential benefits to the surviving spouse. 

These are survivor benefits and death benefits.

Survivor benefits depend on the deceased spouse’s earning record. 

If the deceased spouse earned enough Social Security credits, the surviving spouse can receive a portion of the deceased’s benefits.

A surviving spouse can receive full benefits at their full retirement age, or reduced benefits as early as age 60. 

If the surviving spouse is disabled, they can get benefits as early as age 50.

If the surviving spouse is caring for the deceased’s child who is under 16 or is disabled, they can get benefits at any age.

There is also a one-time payment called the death benefit. 

It is a lump sum of $255 that Social Security pays to a surviving spouse or child.

The surviving spouse needs to report the death to Social Security to apply for these benefits. 

They can’t apply online. 

They need to make a phone call or visit a Social Security office.

Social Security will then review the surviving spouse’s eligibility for benefits. 

The amount they receive will depend on factors such as:

  • their age
  • the deceased’s earnings
  • the number of young or disabled children in their care

In some cases, a surviving spouse may choose to receive their own Social Security benefits if these are higher than the survivor benefits. 

They can switch to survivor benefits at a later date if these become higher. 

This depends on their age and other factors.

Read More: When Can A Widow Collect Her Husband’s Social Security

Social Security Death Benefits For Spouse

Social Security provides two types of death benefits for spouses: 

  • lump-sum death payment 
  • survivor benefits

A one-time lump-sum death payment of $255 can be paid to the surviving spouse if they were living with the deceased. 

If they were living apart, they can still receive this if they were receiving certain Social Security benefits on the deceased’s record.

Survivor benefits can be paid to a widow or widower at full retirement age or reduced benefits can be taken as early as age 60. 

If the surviving spouse is disabled, benefits can begin as early as age 50.

Survivors can get between 71.5% and 100% of the deceased worker’s basic benefit amount. 

The percentage depends on the survivor’s age and relationship to the worker.

If the surviving spouse cares for a child under age 16 or disabled, who receives Social Security benefits, they can get benefits at any age.

The survivor may earn limited income without affecting their Social Security survivor benefits. 

If they exceed the limit, their benefits will be reduced.

Social Security also pays benefits to divorced spouses if the marriage lasted 10 years or longer.

In addition to these, a surviving spouse might be eligible for Medicare coverage if they are at least 65 years old.

Read More: When Can My Spouse Collect Half Of My Social Security?

SSDI Survivor Benefits

SSDI, or Social Security Disability Insurance, provides survivor benefits for certain family members of a deceased person who paid into Social Security during their lifetime. 

Here are the basics of SSDI survivor benefits:

  • Spouses: If you are the widow or widower of the person who was receiving SSDI, you can receive survivor benefits. These benefits start from age 60 or from age 50 if you are disabled. If you are caring for the deceased’s child who is under 16 or disabled, you can receive benefits at any age.
  • Divorced Spouses: If you were married to the deceased for at least 10 years, you might be eligible for benefits. The age rules are the same as for current spouses.
  • Children: If you are the child of a person who was receiving SSDI, you can get survivor benefits. This is possible until you turn 18, or 19 if you’re still in high school. If you’re disabled, and your disability started before age 22, you can get benefits at any age.
  • Parents: If you were dependent on your child who was receiving SSDI, you might be able to get benefits from age 62.

Who Is Entitled To Death Benefits In Social Security?

The people who can receive Social Security death benefits are:

  • The Surviving Spouse: If they were living in the same household, they can get a one-time payment. They may also qualify for monthly benefits if they are at least 60, or 50 if disabled, or at any age if they are caring for the deceased’s child under 16.
  • Divorced Spouses: If the marriage lasted at least 10 years, divorced spouses can get benefits at age 60, or 50 if disabled.
  • Children: The deceased’s minor children can receive benefits. This applies to biological children, adopted children, and dependent stepchildren or grandchildren under 18, or under 19 if still in high school, or any age if they became disabled before 22.
  • Parents: If they were dependent on the deceased, parents age 62 or older can receive benefits.
  • The Deceased’s Estate: It does not receive Social Security death benefits. These benefits are for eligible family members only.

Who Is Eligible For Social Security Survivor Benefits?

Social Security Survivor Benefits are for certain family members of deceased workers who paid into Social Security. 

The family members who are eligible for Social Security survivor benefits can be:

  • Widows or widowers, aged 60 or older.
  • Disabled widows or widowers, aged 50 or older.
  • Widows or widowers at any age if caring for the deceased’s child who is under 16 or disabled.
  • Unmarried children of the deceased, under 18, or up to 19 if they are attending elementary or secondary school full time. A child can also be eligible if they were disabled before age 22 and remain disabled.
  • Under certain circumstances, stepchildren, grandchildren, or adopted children.
  • Parents, age 62+, who were dependent on the deceased for at least half of their support.

Each person’s benefit amount depends on the deceased’s earnings, the type of benefit, and the recipient’s age and family situation.

What Percentage Of Social Security Benefits Does A Widow Receive?

A widow or widower can receive 100% of the deceased spouse’s Social Security benefits if they start receiving benefits at their full retirement age. 

Let’s say they start to collect benefits earlier, between the age of 60 and their full retirement age.

They will receive a reduced amount, typically between 71.5% to 99%. 

Let’s say the surviving spouse is disabled.

They can start collecting as early as age 50, but the benefits will be reduced. 

Benefits are also available to surviving spouses who are taking care of the deceased’s child who is under age 16 or disabled.

How To Notify Social Security Of A Death

To notify Social Security of a death:

  1. Gather The Necessary Information: You need the deceased person’s social security number, date of birth, date of death, and place of death.
  2. Contact the Social Security Administration (SSA): You can call the SSA toll-free at 1-800-772-1213.
  3. Report The Death: When you reach an SSA representative, inform them of the person’s death.
  4. Provide Details: Give the deceased person’s social security number and other required information.
  5. Follow Instructions: The SSA representative will guide you through the process.
  6. If Necessary, Mail Proof: In some cases, the SSA might ask you to mail a death certificate. Do this only if they request it.

Remember, the SSA does not accept reports of death online. 

You must call or visit a local SSA office. 

It’s important to do this promptly because benefits need to be adjusted or stopped to avoid overpayments.

How To Apply For Survivor Benefits

To apply for survivor benefits for Social Security Disability:

  1. Identify the Social Security Office: Find the nearest Social Security Administration (SSA) office to you.
  2. Gather Needed Documents: Prepare required documents such as the death certificate, your identification, and Social Security numbers for both the deceased and the applicant.
  3. Start the Application Process: Survivor benefits cannot be applied for online. You need to call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local office.
  4. Set an Appointment: Schedule a meeting with an SSA representative to go over your application and documents.
  5. Attend the Appointment: Bring all necessary documents to your appointment. The representative will guide you through the application.
  6. Wait for a Decision: After submitting, the SSA will review your application and inform you about their decision.
  7. Respond to Requests for More Information: If the SSA asks for more information, provide it promptly to avoid delays.
  8. Start Receiving Benefits: If your application gets approved, you will start receiving survivor benefits. They are typically paid on a monthly basis.
  9. Report Changes: If your circumstances change, such as getting married, inform the SSA as it can affect your benefits.
  10. Regularly Review Your Benefits: Periodically check your benefits status and amount. If there are any discrepancies, contact the SSA immediately.

Remember, you may be eligible for other benefits as well such as lump-sum death benefits or benefits for minor children. 

So it’s wise to discuss all options with the SSA representative.

How Long Do You Have To Report A Death To Social Security?

You should report a death to the Social Security Administration (SSA) as soon as possible, typically within the month of the individual’s passing. 

This helps prevent overpayment of benefits. 

Most funeral homes offer to do this for you if you provide the deceased’s Social Security Number. 

If not, you can call SSA directly at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).

Can You Collect Your Deceased Spouse's Social Security And Your Own?

No, you cannot collect your deceased spouse’s Social Security benefits and your own. 

You must choose either to receive your own benefits or your deceased spouse’s, whichever is higher. 

This is called survivor’s benefits.

To qualify, you must be at least 60 years old or 50 if disabled, or caring for a child under 16 or disabled, who is receiving benefits from your spouse’s record.

Applying for survivor’s benefits does not automatically end your own benefits. 

You can switch between them to maximize your total benefits.

FAQs About When A Husband Dies Does The Wife Get His Social Security Disability

Here are other questions we found about a husband dying and the wife getting his Social Security Disability.

How Long Does A Spouse Get Survivors Benefits?

A spouse can receive survivor benefits from Social Security as early as age 60, or 50 if they are disabled. 

If the surviving spouse is caring for a child under age 16, there’s no age limit.

The benefits continue for the lifetime of the spouse unless they remarry before the age of 60 (or 50 if disabled). 

If the spouse remarries after 60 (or after 50 if disabled), they can continue to receive survivor benefits.

For spouses who are eligible based on the age of a child in their care, the benefits usually stop when the child turns 16.

If My Spouse Dies Do I Get His Social Security And Mine?

No, if your spouse dies, you do not get both his social security and yours. 

You will receive the higher of the two. 

If your own benefits are less than your deceased spouse’s, your benefits will be increased to match theirs. 

If your own benefits are higher, you will continue to receive your own benefits. 

The amount you receive can depend on your age and other factors.

If My Ex-Husband Dies Do I Get His Social Security?

Yes, you may be eligible to receive your ex-husband’s Social Security benefits if he dies, given the following conditions:

  • Your marriage lasted 10 years or longer.
  • You are not remarried and you are 60 years old or above (or 50 if you are disabled).
  • The benefit you are entitled to receive based on your own work is less than the benefit you would receive based on your ex-husband’s work.

If these conditions are met, you may receive survivor benefits, which can be up to 100% of your ex-husband’s benefit amount.

Can I Collect My Deceased Spouse's Social Security And My Own At The Same Time?

Yes, you can receive Social Security benefits based on both your own work history and your deceased spouse’s. 

But, you can’t collect the full amount of both benefits at the same time.

First, you can claim your own Social Security retirement benefits. 

The amount you receive is based on:

your personal work history and the age at which you start claiming benefits.

In addition, if your deceased spouse earned enough Social Security credits, you may qualify for survivor benefits. 

The amount you can receive depends on your age, your spouse’s earning record, and when you start collecting survivor benefits.

If you qualify for both, Social Security will not pay you two full benefits. 

Instead, they will pay you the higher of the two amounts. 

In other words, if your survivor benefit is higher, you will receive that amount. 

If your personal retirement benefit is higher, you will receive that amount.

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