Social Security Survivor Benefits: Eligibility, $255 Death Benefit & Calculator

Check who qualifies for survivor benefits and the $255 lump-sum death payment, then estimate widow(er) and child benefits under SSA's family maximum.

Written and fact-checked by the CheckPayDate.com Editorial TeamPublished August 26, 2026Last reviewed October 27, 2026How we review

Official Data Verification: Reviewed October 27, 2026

Audited against Federal Reserve Holiday Calendar

Primary Authority: Social Security Administration (SSA)

Regulatory Basis: POMS GN 02401.000 & 20 CFR § 404.1807

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Quick Answer

Widow(er)s can start at 60 (50 if disabled), or at any age while caring for the deceased's child under 16.
Divorced spouses qualify if the marriage lasted 10+ years.
Children qualify if unmarried and under 18, 18–19 in high school, or disabled before 22.
The $255 death payment goes to a spouse who lived with the deceased, or else to a spouse or child eligible for monthly benefits. Apply within 2 years.

Survivor & $255 Death Benefit Eligibility Checker

Answer for the person applying · runs in your browser

Relationship to the deceasedApplicant's age

How long were you married?Caring for the deceased's child who is under 16 or disabledI have a disabilityI remarried before age 60 (50 if disabled) and am still marriedWe lived together when they died

You may qualify for survivor benefits

79.6% of the deceased's full benefit if you start at 62.

Age
Age 60 or older.
Length of marriage
Married at least 9 months.
Remarriage
Remarrying at 60 or later (50 or later if disabled) doesn't affect survivor benefits.
Deceased's work record
The deceased needed enough work credits — up to 40, fewer if they died young. Children and a parent caring for them may qualify with 6 credits in the 3 years before death.

$255 lump-sum death payment: likely yes

You can get the $255 payment as a spouse who lived with the deceased. Apply within 2 years of the death.

The $255 Lump-Sum Death Payment

Social Security pays a one-time $255 death benefit, set by law and never adjusted for inflation. It goes first to a surviving spouse who was living with the deceased. If there isn't one, it goes to a spouse or child who is eligible for monthly benefits on the deceased's record for the month of death.

Divorced spouses, parents, and other relatives can't receive it.
Apply within 2 years of the death, unless you were already receiving spouse's benefits on the record.
If several children qualify and there's no eligible spouse, they share the payment equally.

Survivor Benefit Estimator

Deceased's full benefit (PIA) $2,400/moWidow(er) starts at age 62 · 79.6%

Eligible children

Your own benefit at 70 $2,800/mo

Estimated family total

$1,911/mo

Widow(er) at 62: $1,911/mo
Family maximum for this record (2026 formula): $4,484/mo
One-time death payment: +$255

Switching strategy

You could take the survivor benefit ($1,911/mo) now and let your own benefit grow to $2,800/mo at 70, then switch. SSA pays the higher benefit, not both.

Estimate only. Uses the 2026 family-maximum formula and assumes the deceased didn't claim early — if they did, a widow(er)'s benefit is limited to the larger of their reduced benefit or 82.5% of their PIA.

How Much Survivors Get

Survivor	Share of the deceased's full benefit
Widow(er) at full retirement age or older	100%
Widow(er) age 60 to full retirement age	71.5% to 99%
Disabled widow(er) age 50 to 59	71.5%
Widow(er) any age caring for a child under 16	75%
Child (each)	75%
Dependent parent age 62+	82.5% for one parent, 75% each for two

The family maximum caps total benefits on one record at roughly 150% to 180% of the deceased's full benefit.

How to Apply

You can't apply for survivor benefits online. Call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or visit a Social Security office. Have the death certificate, your Social Security number and the deceased's, and proof of marriage, divorce, or birth as needed. If you already get spouse's benefits, SSA usually switches you to survivor benefits automatically once the death is reported.

Make a Social Security appointment

Frequently asked questions

A widow(er) age 60 or older (50 if disabled), a widow(er) of any age caring for the deceased's child under 16 or disabled, a divorced spouse married 10+ years, unmarried children under 18 (or 19 if still in high school, or disabled before 22), and dependent parents 62 or older.

A surviving spouse who lived with the deceased. If there's no such spouse, it goes to a spouse or child who is eligible for monthly benefits on the deceased's record. Divorced spouses and parents can't get it. You must apply within 2 years of the death unless you were already receiving spouse's benefits.

100% of the deceased's benefit if you start at your full retirement age, or 71.5% to 99% if you start between 60 and full retirement age. If the deceased claimed early, your benefit is limited to the larger of their reduced benefit or 82.5% of their full benefit.

Not both in full. SSA pays the higher of the two. Many widow(er)s take one benefit first and switch to the other later, such as survivor benefits at 60 and their own at 70.

Remarrying at 60 or older (50 or older if disabled) doesn't affect them. Remarrying earlier generally ends them, unless the later marriage ends.

Total monthly benefits to a family on one record are capped at about 150% to 180% of the deceased's full benefit. If the total is higher, each person's benefit is reduced proportionally.

Call 1-800-772-1213 or visit a Social Security office — you can't apply for survivor benefits online. Report the death right away; funeral homes usually report it for you.