When a veteran dies, families often focus on VA benefits and forget Social Security. But Social Security survivor benefits can be one of the largest sources of income a widow, widower, or child receives. The Social Security Administration says you may qualify "if you're the spouse, divorced spouse, child, or dependent parent of someone who worked and paid Social Security taxes before they died." Military service counts too, because service members earn Social Security credits. This guide explains who qualifies, how much survivors may get, the one-time $255 death payment, and how to apply.
Key Takeaways
- Spouses can generally start survivor benefits at age 60, or 50 if they have a disability, according to SSA.gov.
- A surviving spouse at full retirement age can get up to 100% of the deceased worker's benefit. Children generally get 75%.
- SSA pays a one-time $255 lump-sum death payment to a qualifying spouse or child. It must be applied for within 2 years of the death.
- You cannot apply for survivor benefits online. SSA says to call 1-800-772-1213 or contact a local office.
- Military service from 1957 to 2001 may have earned special extra earnings credits on the veteran's Social Security record.
- Social Security survivor benefits and VA survivor benefits come from two different agencies, with separate applications.
Table of Contents
- How Social Security Survivor Benefits Work
- Who Qualifies
- How Much Survivors May Receive
- The $255 Lump-Sum Death Payment
- How to Apply After a Veteran Dies
- Ask the Navigator
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Sources
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From the AVOY Book Library VA Survivor Benefits & Family Compensation Guide covers this in more depth, with step-by-step guidance. Get the Book → |
How Social Security Survivor Benefits Work
Social Security is not only a retirement program. SSA's publication on military service says "we pay survivors benefits to your family when you die," in addition to retirement and disability benefits. Survivor benefits are monthly payments to eligible family members of a person who worked and paid Social Security taxes.
Payments and Medicare
SSA says survivors "could get a monthly payment and may be eligible for Medicare based on the work history of the family member who died." The amount depends on the worker's earnings record, which is why the veteran's full work history matters.
Military service and your earnings record
SSA's publication Military Service and Social Security (Publication No. 05-10017, June 2026) explains that service members may have extra earnings added to their record:
- For 1957 through 1977, "you're credited with $300 in additional earnings for each calendar quarter in which you received active-duty basic pay."
- For 1978 through 2001, "for every $300 in active-duty basic pay, you're credited with an additional $100 in earnings up to a maximum of $1,200 a year."
- For 1940 through 1956, service members didn't pay Social Security taxes, but SSA gave "special credit for some of your service."
Why does this matter? An SSA blog post on survivors benefits puts it simply: "How much your family can get from Social Security depends on your average lifetime earnings. The more you earned, the more their benefits will be."
Who Qualifies
SSA lists specific rules for each type of survivor. Families should check each person, since more than one family member may be eligible.
Spouses and former spouses
SSA says a surviving spouse may qualify if they are:
- Age 60 or older, or age 50 to 59 with a disability
- Married for at least 9 months before the spouse's death
- Not remarried before age 60 (age 50 if they have a disability)
A former spouse may qualify if the marriage lasted at least 10 years. SSA also says a spouse "might be eligible regardless of age and how long you were married," with the common example being a spouse caring for a child of the person who died. SSA's survivors toolkit describes this as caring for the deceased's child who is younger than 16 or has a disability.
Children
SSA says children may qualify if they are 17 or younger, or 18 to 19 and in school (K–12) full time. A child of any age may qualify if the disability began at age 21 or younger.
Dependent parents
Parents may qualify if they are age 62 or older and were financially supported by the child who died.
How Much Survivors May Receive
SSA bases survivor payments on the deceased worker's benefit amount. The percentage depends on who the survivor is and when they start.
Spouses
SSA says, "You can get up to 100% when you reach your Full Retirement Age for Survivor benefits." Starting earlier means a smaller percentage. SSA lists examples: over 75% at age 61, over 80% at age 63, and over 90% at age 65.
Children and family limits
SSA says, "Children generally get 75% of the parent's benefit." SSA also notes there is a family maximum, which limits the total paid to one family on a worker's record.
Switching between survivor and retirement benefits
A widow or widower may have a retirement benefit of their own. SSA gives this example: "You could start with Survivor benefits and then change to Retirement at age 70 when that payment is highest." SSA's toolkit also says people already getting benefits on their own record may qualify for higher benefits on the deceased's record and should ask SSA.
The $255 Lump-Sum Death Payment
SSA confirms this payment on its website and in its publications. SSA's FAQ says "a one-time lump sum death payment of $255 can be made to a qualifying spouse or child if they meet certain requirements."
The 2-year deadline
SSA's FAQ adds: "Survivors must apply for this payment within 2 years of the date of the number holder's death."
Who it goes to
SSA's materials describe it as a payment to a surviving spouse or child who meets certain requirements. SSA decides who qualifies. For VA burial help, see VA burial benefits families can claim.
How to Apply After a Veteran Dies
The application process is different from many VA benefits. SSA's FAQ is direct: "You cannot apply for survivors benefits online."
Reporting the death
SSA says, "A funeral home will usually tell us when someone dies, so you may not need to report a death to us." If the veteran was getting Social Security by direct deposit, SSA's toolkit says the survivor should contact the bank or other financial institution about funds received after the death.
Steps to apply
- Confirm the funeral home has reported the death to Social Security.
- Gather documents. SSA says it needs original documents or copies certified by the agency that issued them.
- Call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time, or contact your local Social Security office.
- Ask about every family member who may qualify, including children and dependent parents.
- Ask about the $255 lump-sum death payment, and apply within 2 years.
- If you already get Social Security on your own record, ask SSA to compare survivor and retirement amounts.
- Apply separately to VA for any VA survivor benefits, such as DIC.
Don't forget VA survivor benefits
Social Security and VA are separate agencies. A surviving spouse may need to look at both. See our guides on VA DIC for surviving spouses, VA survivors pension, and VA disability and Social Security disability together.
Ask the Navigator
Have a question about how Social Security and VA survivor benefits fit together for your family? Ask AVOY Veteran Navigator AI™ at avoyvet.com, and take the free Veteran Legacy Checklist to see what your family should have in place.
Frequently Asked Questions
How young can a widow or widower get survivor benefits?
SSA lists age 60, or age 50 to 59 with a disability. A spouse of any age may qualify when caring for the deceased's child who is younger than 16 or has a disability.
Can I remarry and keep survivor benefits?
SSA's rule is that a spouse must not have remarried before age 60, or before 50 if they have a disability.
Is the $255 death payment still paid?
Yes. SSA's current FAQ and publications list a one-time $255 payment to a qualifying spouse or child, with a 2-year deadline to apply.
Can I apply for survivor benefits online?
No. SSA says you cannot apply for survivors benefits online. Call 1-800-772-1213 or contact a local office.
Does military service count toward Social Security?
Yes. SSA explains that active-duty service from 1957 through 2001 may have earned special extra earnings credits, and service from 1940 through 1956 received special credit.
Sources
- Survivor benefits — SSA.gov
- Who can get survivor benefits — SSA.gov
- Survivor benefit amounts — SSA.gov
- Survivors benefits — SSA.gov
- Who is eligible to receive Social Security survivors benefits and how do I apply? — SSA.gov
- Social Security Survivors Benefits Toolkit (December 2024) — SSA.gov
- Publication No. 05-10402 (November 2024) — SSA.gov
- Understanding Social Security Survivors Benefits — SSA Blog
- Military Service and Social Security, Publication No. 05-10017 (June 2026) — SSA.gov
Educational information only — not legal, tax, financial, or medical advice, and not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Estate and probate rules vary by state; an estate attorney in your state can confirm what applies. For VA benefits help, contact a VA-accredited VSO (often free), claims agent, or attorney.
