Taking Social Security survivor benefits at age 60 results in a permanently reduced payment—roughly 71.5% of your deceased spouse's full benefit—compared to 100% at your Full Retirement Age (FRA), which is 66-67. It is generally best to take them early if you need the income immediately, but waiting maximizes the amount.
Surviving spouse, at full retirement age or older, generally gets 100% of the worker's basic benefit amount. Surviving spouse, age 60 or older, but younger than full retirement age, gets between 71% and 99% of the worker's basic benefit amount.
Widows and widowers may receive full Social Security benefits at their full retirement age or reduced benefits as early as age 60. Those with a disability that started before or within seven years of the worker's death may begin collecting benefits as early as age 50.
Either spouse can maximize their regular Social Security benefit amount by waiting past their full-retirement age to apply, up to age 70. Benefits generally increase 8% each year filing is delayed.
You can get up to 100% when you reach your Full Retirement Age for Survivor benefits (between ages 66–67).
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.
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 $1,000 a month rule is a retirement guideline suggesting you need about $240,000 saved for every $1,000 per month in desired income, based on a 5% annual withdrawal rate (5% of $240k is $12k/year, or $1k/month). It's a simple way to set savings goals, but it doesn't account for inflation, taxes, or other income like Social Security, so it's best used as a starting point, not a complete plan.
Yes, a widow can get Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) at age 60 based on their deceased spouse's work record, often premium-free, if married at least nine months before death and haven't remarried before age 60, plus they can receive Social Security survivor benefits starting as early as 60 (or 50 if disabled), but this doesn't automatically mean they get Part B (medical insurance) or a full Medicare package until age 65, unless they qualify through disability or other specific circumstances.
The Social Security spousal benefits loophole, primarily the "File and Suspend" and "Restricted Application" strategies, allowed a higher-earning spouse to delay their own benefits (earning delayed retirement credits) while the lower-earning spouse collected a spousal benefit based on the higher earner's record; however, a 2015 law closed these loopholes for most new applicants, meaning if one spouse claims spousal benefits, their own benefits are also considered claimed, and benefits can't be suspended to let spousal benefits accrue. A separate, less-known exception allows a spouse caring for a disabled adult child (under 22) to receive benefits even if they haven't reached retirement age, as noted by Special Needs Answers.
You can apply for benefits by calling our national toll-free service at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or visiting your local Social Security office. An appointment is not required, but if you call ahead and schedule one, it may reduce the time you spend waiting to apply.
Free prescriptions and eye tests for over-60s
You can also get free NHS-funded eye tests from the age of 60 (in Scotland, eye tests are free for all ages). You'll be entitled to free NHS dental treatment if you're receiving pension guarantee credit.
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.
However, Ramsey thinks it makes the most sense to claim Social Security as soon as possible because, as he puts, it, "Your retirement payments die when you die...so you might as well take the money and make the most of it while you can."
"Full Retirement Age" for Survivor benefits is between age 66 and 67. It's when you can get the maximum Survivor benefit payment. It's not always the same as the Full Retirement Age for Retirement benefits. You can start getting Survivor benefits as early as age 60 (50 if you have a disability).
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.
Social Security Survivor benefits are taxable income only for those who are entitled to receive them, even if a child's checks are deposited into an account belonging to a surviving parent or guardian. Surviving spouses report their taxable benefits on their federal tax return.
The #1 regret of retirees is not saving enough money, with studies showing a large majority wish they had saved more and started earlier, leading to financial stress and limitations in their desired lifestyle. Other major regrets often center around a lack of planning for time, health, and experiences, such as working too long, putting off travel, or not planning for future healthcare costs, says financial experts and financial planning sources.