Losing your spouse brings overwhelming grief and along with your emotional challenges comes navigating the complex world of surviving spouse benefits. While you’re processing your unimaginable loss, there are critical financial decisions that can’t wait. Understanding what you’re entitled to can provide the stability and security you need during this difficult transition.

Social Security Survivor Benefits: Your Foundation

Your surviving spouse Social Security benefits form the bedrock of your financial support. Nearly 3.7 million widows and widowers, including some divorced from late beneficiaries, were receiving survivor benefits as of February 2025.

Here’s what this means for you: if you’ve reached full retirement age, you receive 100% of the benefit your spouse was collecting (or would have been collecting). Full retirement age for survivor benefits is 66 and 4 months for surviving spouses born in 1958, 66 and 6 months for those born in 1959, and gradually increasing to 67 over the next few years.

If you’re younger than full retirement age, you still have options. You can claim survivor benefits as early as age 60, starting at 71.5% of your spouse’s benefit and increasing the longer you wait until you reach full retirement age. If you’re disabled, you can apply as early as age 50. If you’re caring for your deceased spouse’s child who is under 16 or disabled, you can collect 75% of your late spouse’s benefit at any age (though these caregiver benefits are income-dependent).

Children’s Benefits

Your children may also qualify for survivor benefits until age 18 (or 19 if still in high school). Children generally receive 75% of the deceased parent’s benefit, but there’s a family maximum limit that may reduce individual payments. 

How to Apply

If you were already receiving spousal benefits on your spouse’s work record, Social Security will in most cases switch you automatically to survivor benefits when their death is reported. Otherwise, you’ll need to apply. Call the Social Security Administration at 800-772-1213 to schedule an appointment to file your claim.

Social Security also provides a one-time death benefit of $255 to help with immediate expenses, which you can claim when you apply for survivor benefits.

Retirement Account Inheritance: Critical Decisions Ahead

Inheriting your spouse’s 401(k) or IRA requires immediate attention because the choices you make affect both your taxes and long-term financial security. As a surviving spouse, you have more flexibility than other beneficiaries. Only a spouse has the option of transferring inherited 401(k) assets into their own retirement account.

Roll Over to Your Own IRA: This treats the money as if it were always yours. However, if you’re under age 59½ and think you’ll need to withdraw money in the next decade, don’t roll over the account. If you withdraw money before you’re 59½, you’ll be subject to a 10% early withdrawal penalty.

Create an Inherited IRA: Spouses can roll over inherited 401(k) assets into an inherited IRA. The IRS waives any early withdrawal penalties for inherited IRAs, so spouses can withdraw at any time. Recent changes now provide more flexibility. As of 2024, surviving spouses can take required minimum distributions based on their own age even with an inherited IRA.

Life Insurance Claims: Quick Access to Needed Funds

Life insurance death benefits can provide immediate financial relief, but you need to take action to claim them. While every company’s process varies somewhat, you’ll basically need to fill out a claims form called a “Request for Benefits” and provide a copy of the death certificate.

The essential documents include the policy number (if available), death certificate, and your identification as the beneficiary. Once the insurance company has your claim, they will verify the information and likely pay out death benefits within 30-60 days of the date the claim was filed.

Pension and Veterans Benefits: Don’t Let These Slip Away

Many surviving spouses overlook employer-provided benefits, but these can be substantial sources of ongoing income. ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Security Act) protects surviving spouses of deceased participants who had earned a vested pension benefit before their death. Contact your spouse’s former HR department or plan administrator immediately.

Military families have access to unique survivor benefits. As the survivor of a veteran or service member, you may qualify for added benefits, including help with burial costs and survivor compensation. These include VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), education assistance, and health care through CHAMPVA. The PACT Act, enacted in 2022, has expanded eligibility for many veterans’ survivors by recognizing additional conditions related to toxic exposure during military service.

What to Watch Out For

Remarriage rules: If the remarriage took place before you turned 60 (50 if you have a disability), you cannot draw survivor benefits while married.

Earnings limits: If you’re working and under full retirement age, your Social Security survivor benefits may be reduced if you earn above certain limits ($23,400 in 2025).

Tax implications: Most retirement account withdrawals and some Social Security benefits are taxable income. Plan accordingly and consider consulting a tax professional.

Time sensitivity: Some benefits have application deadlines. Don’t delay in reaching out to various administrators and agencies.

Getting Help When You Need It

This can feel overwhelming during an already difficult time. Consider working with a financial advisor who specializes in widow and widower planning. Many areas also have nonprofit organizations that provide free counseling and support for surviving spouses.

The National Widowers Organization, the National Widows Association, and local grief support groups can provide both emotional support and practical guidance during this transition.

You’re entitled to significant financial support as a surviving spouse, but most benefits require you to take action to claim them. Start with Social Security survivor benefits and life insurance claims for immediate needs, then work through retirement accounts and employer benefits. Take your time with major decisions, but don’t delay in filing initial claims.