Social Security survivor benefit calculator
A surviving spouse can get up to 100% of the benefit the deceased worker was getting, starting as early as age 60. If the worker had $2,000 a month at full retirement age, a survivor who starts at 60 gets $1,430 a month, which is 71.5% of it.
Last updated: . Education, not financial advice.
Worked example: the survivor's starting age
The worker was born in 1962, started at full retirement age and had $2,000 a month. The survivor was also born in 1962, so the survivor full retirement age is 67. The amount rises each month the survivor waits, up to 100%.
| Survivor starts at | Monthly survivor benefit |
|---|---|
| Age 60 | $1,430 |
| Age 61 | $1,511 |
| Age 62 | $1,592 |
| Age 63 | $1,674 |
| Age 64 | $1,755 |
| Age 65 | $1,837 |
| Age 66 | $1,918 |
| Age 67 | $2,000 |
Source: Survivor benefits by age (opens in a new tab), Survivors benefits (opens in a new tab)
Worked example: the worker's starting age
The age at which the worker started their own benefit sets the survivor's amount. If the worker started early, the survivor still gets at least 82.5% of the worker's full benefit. If the worker waited, the survivor inherits the delayed credits.
| Worker started at | Worker's own check | Survivor benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Age 62 | $1,400 | $1,650 |
| Age 67 | $2,000 | $2,000 |
| Age 70 | $2,480 | $2,480 |
Source: Survivor benefits by age (opens in a new tab), Survivors benefits (opens in a new tab), Delayed retirement credits (opens in a new tab)
This is why the higher earner's starting age matters to a couple. Read the guide for married couples.
Common questions
How old must I be to get a survivor benefit?
You can start at 60. A survivor who starts at 60 gets about $1,430 a month in this example, and more each month they wait until their survivor full retirement age of 67.
Does the worker's starting age change my survivor benefit?
Yes. In this example a worker who started at 62 leaves a survivor $1,650 at the survivor's full retirement age, and a worker who waited until 70 leaves $2,480.
Is the survivor full retirement age the same as mine?
Not always. For someone born in 1962 both are 67, but for people born from 1957 to 1961 the survivor age is lower. See the full retirement age calculator.
Sources
- Survivor benefits by age (opens in a new tab)
- Survivors benefits (opens in a new tab)
- Delayed retirement credits (opens in a new tab)
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Wait or Claim is independent. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to the Social Security Administration or any government agency. We give education, not financial, tax or legal advice. Check your own facts with Social Security (ssa.gov) before you file.