What happens to Social Security when a spouse dies?

A widow or widower can claim survivor benefits at 60, or at 50 to 59 with a disability, or at any age when caring for the deceased's child. The marriage must have lasted at least 9 months, and remarrying before 60 (50 with a disability) ends eligibility. An ex-spouse married 10 years or more may also qualify.

The amount depends on age at claiming. It starts at 71.5% of the deceased's benefit at 60 and rises to 100% at full retirement age. If the deceased had delayed past full retirement age, the survivor amount includes those delayed retirement credits.

Payments are not added together. A survivor eligible for their own retirement benefit and a survivor benefit receives the higher one, and can switch later. SSA's own example: start with survivor benefits, then switch to your own retirement benefit at 70 when it is highest.

Example: one spouse collects $2,480 and the other $1,200, for $3,680 a month. If the higher earner dies and the survivor is at full retirement age, the survivor keeps $2,480 and the $1,200 check stops. Household Social Security income falls by about a third. There is also a one-time $255 death payment to a spouse or minor children, and children who qualify generally get 75% of the parent's benefit, subject to a family maximum.

Most couples plan for the drop in income, not for the costs that stay the same. Rent, property tax, insurance and utilities rarely fall by a third when one person dies.