Survivor benefits confusion - do widows get 50% or 100% of deceased spouse's Social Security?

First, I'm very sorry for your loss. Survivor benefits can be very confusing. As a widow, you are eligible for 100% of your deceased husband's benefit if you claim at your full retirement age, not just 50%. The 50% figure applies to spousal benefits when both spouses are alive. Since your husband hadn't claimed yet, your survivor benefit would be based on what he would have received at his full retirement age (67). If he had already claimed early, it would be based on his actual benefit amount with a possible small increase. For your friend, yes, she can claim survivor benefits on her ex-spouse's record since they were married for more than 10 years and neither remarried. She would also be eligible for up to 100% of his benefit amount, not 50%, if she claims at her full retirement age.

My mom got widows benefits and it wasnt 50%, it was the FULL amount my dad would of got. She started getting it when she was 62 tho so it was reduced a little bit. The SS people will figure it all out for you and tell you what you can get. But you need to apply ASAP dont wait!! benefits dont go back more than 6 months!!

The 50% vs 100% confusion comes from mixing up spousal benefits with survivor benefits. Here's the breakdown: - Spousal benefits (when both spouses are alive): max 50% of the other spouse's FRA benefit - Survivor benefits (after spouse's death): up to 100% of deceased's benefit If you claim survivor benefits before your FRA, they'll be reduced. At age 60, it's about 71.5% of the full survivor benefit. Each month you wait after 60 increases the percentage until you reach 100% at your FRA. For your husband who died before claiming: your benefit would be based on his full PIA (Primary Insurance Amount) at his FRA. For your divorced friend: yes, she qualifies since the marriage lasted over 10 years and neither remarried. Same rules apply - up to 100% at her FRA, reduced if claimed early.

NOBODY here can tell you exactly what you'll get!!! Every situation is different. The SSA screwed up my widow benefits THREE TIMES before getting it right. Their own employees give different answers!!! The whole system is designed to CONFUSE people so they claim early and get LESS MONEY. When my husband died, they never told me I could switch between my own benefit and the survivor benefit at different times to maximize what I get!!! Don't trust what you read online - INCLUDING HERE! You need to talk to an ACTUAL SSA AGENT who can look at YOUR specific case!!!

I went through this last year and want to add something important: you and your friend should BOTH apply for the lump-sum death benefit of $255. It's not much but it helps with funeral expenses. Also, if your husband was receiving Social Security Disability (SSDI) before passing, different rules might apply to the survivor benefit calculation. For your divorced friend, she needs her marriage certificate AND divorce decree when she applies. I didn't bring my divorce papers and had to make another appointment weeks later.

To answer your question about claiming early vs waiting: If you're still working or have other income sources, it usually makes financial sense to wait until your FRA to claim the full 100% survivor benefit. But if you need the income now, taking reduced benefits at 60 (71.5%) might be necessary. Just know you're permanently reducing the benefit. And yes, you CAN switch between benefits. Many widows take the reduced survivor benefit early, then switch to their own retirement benefit later if it's higher (especially if they wait until 70 to maximize their own benefit). For your divorced friend, the same strategies apply, but she should act quickly - there's a time limit for applying after the ex-spouse's death to get all retroactive benefits.

my aunt just went thru this!!! she got a HUGE backpay check cause her husband died 8 months before she finally got approved. they do pay you for the months you were eligible even if you didnt apply right away but theres a limit on how far back they go.

I remember being in your exact position when my husband passed. So confusing! One thing nobody mentioned yet - if you're under full retirement age and still working, your survivor benefits will be reduced if you earn above certain limits ($21,240 in 2025). For every $2 you earn above that limit, $1 is deducted from benefits. This earnings test no longer applies once you reach your full retirement age. Something important to factor into your decision about when to claim.