Survivor Benefits

Retirement

Social Security survivor benefits provide income to a deceased worker's family — spouse (especially after age 60), children under 18, and disabled adult children. The widow(er) survivor benefit can equal up to 100% of the deceased's benefit if claimed at full retirement age. Strategy: the higher-earning spouse should consider delaying to age 70 to maximize the survivor benefit — the larger of the two benefits passes to the survivor. Survivor benefit can be claimed as early as age 60 (or 50 if disabled), but at reduced amounts. Children's benefits provide up to 75% of the parent's PIA per child.