When a loved one who worked and paid into Social Security passes away, their family may be eligible for survivor benefits, which are monthly payments that help replace lost income. At Disability Attorneys of Michigan, we frequently meet families who are unaware of their eligibility for this vital support. Here’s what you need to know.
Who Can Receive Survivor Benefits
The Social Security Administration (SSA) pays benefits to certain family members of a deceased worker who earned enough work credits:
Widows and widowers: Eligible at age 60 (or 50 if disabled), or any age if caring for a child under 16 or disabled.
Divorced spouses: If the marriage lasted at least 10 years.
Children: Unmarried and under 18 (or 19 if still in high school) or disabled before age 22.
Dependent parents: Age 62 or older and relied on the deceased for at least half of their support.
How Much Can You Receive?
Survivor payments are based on the deceased worker’s lifetime earnings:
A surviving spouse at full retirement age can receive up to 100% of the worker’s benefit amount.
Children or a younger spouse caring for a child typically receive about 75%.
There is a family maximum (around 150–180% of the worker’s full benefit) that can limit total payments if several family members qualify.
Key Rules and Timing Tips
You don’t need to wait for retirement to qualify for survivor benefits, since the deceased worker didn’t have to be retired or already collecting benefits at the time of death. It’s important to apply promptly, as survivors benefits typically require a phone or in-person appointment and can’t always be filed online. Remarriage can also impact eligibility; if a surviving spouse remarries before age 60 (or 50 if disabled), they may lose access to certain benefits. Finally, always check the deceased worker’s Social Security earnings record for accuracy, since errors in reported earnings can reduce the amount of benefits the family receives.
How Disability Attorneys of Michigan Can Help
For many Michigan families, disability and survivor rules often overlap. A surviving spouse with a disability may qualify for benefits as early as age 50 instead of 60. If the deceased was receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), their record still counts toward survivor benefits. Even families with limited work histories may qualify if the worker had at least six quarters, or about a year and a half, of recent employment.
If a person has a parent who is deceased or receiving Social Security benefits, and they have a qualifying disability that began before they reached age 22, they may qualify for Disabled Adult Child benefits. For more information, read our Disability Benefits for Children and Dependents blog.
Social Security survivor benefits can provide crucial financial stability after a loss, but the rules are complex. At Disability Attorneys of Michigan, we help ensure families receive every dollar they are entitled to. Our team assists clients by determining eligibility, assisting them in obtaining a disability finding from the Social Security Administration, or both.
Contact us today for a free case evaluation by submitting a form online or calling (800) 949-2900.
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