No, you generally can't receive your own Social Security retirement benefit and your spouse's survivor benefit as two separate checks; instead, the Social Security Administration (SSA) pays you the higher of the two amounts, or a combination that equals the larger benefit, so you receive the maximum possible payment from your own record and your spouse's combined. You can, however, strategically choose when to claim each benefit to maximize your lifetime payments, potentially starting with one and switching to the larger one later, like waiting until age 70 for your own benefit to grow.
Between ages 60 and 70
You can claim survivor benefits as early as age 60 and your own retirement benefits anytime between ages 62 and 70. The Social Security Administration can help you compare your options and coordinate your benefits to support your long-term income needs.
Some recipients of Social Security benefits will receive two checks in the month of December, as a calendar quirk will move the payment timeline for an adjacent month. The Social Security Administration (SSA) ordinarily disburses payments for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) on the first day of a given month.
If you remarry after age 60, you'll generally be able to continue to receive your former spouse's survivor benefits. But if you remarry before you turn 60 (or 50 if you have a disability), you're no longer able to receive your former spouse's survivor benefits as long as you stay married.
If you are entitled to a Bereavement Payment, it will be paid as a lump sum. You may be able to get Widowed Parent's Allowance or Bereavement Allowance as well as a Bereavement Payment.
Not everyone automatically qualifies for survivor benefits. Typically, the deceased must have accumulated enough work credits through Social Security taxes. Surviving spouses may be eligible at age 60 (or 50 if disabled), and unmarried children under 18 (or up to 19 if still in high school) generally qualify.
The Allowance for the Survivor is a non-taxable monthly benefit paid to a surviving spouse or common-law partner who has low income. Either benefit may be paid until you turn 65 years of age. It will then be replaced with an Old Age Security pension, if you qualify.
An individual can only receive one set of benefits at a time. If both spouses receive Social Security, the surviving spouse will get the larger benefit, not both. This can lead to a significant income loss when one spouse dies, so planning ahead to maximize the surviving spouse's benefits is important.
However, if you are eligible for a retirement benefit, you won't get both that and a survivor benefit. Social Security will pay the higher of the two benefit amounts. If you are below full retirement age and still working, Social Security's earnings limit could affect your survivor benefit.
If the survivor is under FRA and working, benefits are reduced by $1 for every $2 earned over the annual earnings test (AET) limit, which is $23,400 in 2025. Therefore, if the survivor is still working, it may be wise to delay claiming until retirement or FRA. Survivor benefits after divorce.
The "40-day rule after death" refers to traditions in many cultures and religions (especially Eastern Orthodox Christianity) where a mourning period of 40 days signifies the soul's journey, transformation, or waiting period before final judgment, often marked by prayers, special services, and specific mourning attire like black clothing, while other faiths, like Islam, view such commemorations as cultural innovations rather than religious requirements. These practices offer comfort, a structured way to grieve, and a sense of spiritual support for the deceased's soul.
Here's a checklist of 10 things you need to do when your spouse dies:
If you're already getting Social Security benefits
We'll check to see if you can get more money as a surviving spouse. If so, you'll get a combination of benefits that equals the higher amount. You must complete an application to receive survivors benefits. We may also need your spouse's death certificate.
Several factors can disqualify you from receiving survivor benefits, such as: Remarrying before a certain age. Your deceased spouse not having earned enough work credits. Not meeting the SSA definition of a spouse.
Widowed parent's allowance
The amount you'll be entitled to will depend on your spouse or civil partner's National Insurance record. In 2025/26, the maximum amount you can receive mirrors the maximum bereavement allowance of £150.90 a week.
A death grant is a lump payment made to one or more beneficiaries in the event of your death (a bit like life cover).
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