The basic rule: one check, the larger one
When a married person dies, the surviving spouse does not get both checks. They keep the larger of the two. The smaller check stops. For a couple who have been living on two checks, that is a real drop in income, while many bills, like the house, the car and the insurance, stay almost the same.
Why the higher earner's claiming age matters most
If the higher earner claims early, the check that becomes the survivor check is smaller for life. If the higher earner waits, the survivor check is larger for life, however long the survivor lives. In Case File No. 1, Linda's check at 67 is $2,000 a month, and her husband Tom's own check is $1,100. If Linda goes first, Tom's check rises to the larger one.
| If Linda claims at | Her check | What Tom lives on if she goes first |
|---|---|---|
| 62 | $1,400 | $1,650 |
| 67 | $2,000 | $2,000 |
| 70 | $2,480 | $2,480 |
The gap between her earliest and latest choice is $830 a month, about $9,960 a year, for as long as Tom lives. That is the number behind the Case File's verdict.
Why $1,650 and not $1,400 at 62?
There is a protection for survivors when the person who died claimed early. The survivor's check cannot fall below 82.5% of what the person would have received at full retirement age. For Linda, 82.5% of $2,000 is $1,650. It is better than her reduced $1,400, but still well under $2,000. This limit is described in a Congressional Research Service report on survivor benefits. Your own case may have special rules, so ask SSA.
Starting survivor benefits early
A surviving spouse can start survivor benefits as early as 60, but at a reduced amount. SSA's chart shows payments start at about 71.5% of the spouse's benefit at 60 and rise the longer you wait, up to 100% at the survivor's full retirement age. Depending on your situation, you may be able to take one benefit first and switch to the other later. Ask SSA how that works for you before you choose.
What to decide while you are both here
- Higher earner: weigh the survivor check, not just your own break-even age.
- Lower earner: your own claiming age matters less to the household. Your spouse's matters more.
- Both: look at your monthly bills. Which would continue after one check stops?
- Debts: a fixed payment that does not shrink when a check disappears is the real risk. In Case File No. 2, the mortgage payment would take 56% of Linda's survivor check.
- Cash: a cash cushion buys time to adjust.
One small, real number
Social Security also pays a one-time lump-sum death payment of $255 to a surviving spouse who qualifies. It is small, but many people do not know to ask for it. SSA can tell you how to apply.
Not a substitute for SSA
Survivor rules have special cases, such as divorced spouses, remarriage and disability. This guide covers the common case. Call SSA or visit ssa.gov for your own situation.
Try it with your own numbers
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Watch the case
This guide goes with Case File No. 1: Social Security at 62, 67 or 70. See the video and the verdict →
Sources
- SSA: Survivor benefits
- SSA: Survivor benefit reduction chart
- SSA: Retirement age and benefit reduction
- Congressional Research Service reporting on survivor benefits (cited in Case File No. 1)
General information, not financial, tax or legal advice. Rules change and every household is different. See how we check our numbers.