Earliest age for survivor benefit?

Age 60 (50 if disabled, any age caring for child under 16).

Can I switch from own to survivor later?

Yes \u2014 and from survivor to own. Maximize timing for highest lifetime income.

What if I'm under 60?

If you have minor children, can claim 'mother/father' benefit at any age.

Government Pension Offset (GPO)?

If you have pension from non-SS-covered work (some teachers, gov), survivor reduced by 2/3 of pension.

Online at SSA.gov, by phone, or at SSA office. File ASAP \u2014 benefits not retroactive beyond 6 months.

Widow Survivor Social Security Benefit

Survivor SS: 100% of deceased's full retirement benefit if widow waits to own FRA. 71.5% if claim at age 60 (earliest). Switch strategies allowed.

Deceased Spouse PIA / Full Benefit ($/mo)

Widow/er Claim Age

Your Own PIA at FRA ($/mo)

Your FRA

Survivor Benefit

—

Own Benefit

—

Higher = Receive

—

Deceased PIA	—
Claim age	—
Survivor percentage	—
Survivor monthly benefit	—
Own benefit at claim age	—
Monthly received (higher)	—
Best claiming strategy	—

Social Security survivor benefits can equal up to 100% of the deceased spouse's full benefit. Critical for widows/widowers: the 'switch strategy' lets you claim one benefit early and switch to the other later — maximizing total lifetime income.

Survivor Percentage by Age

Age 60 (earliest): 71.5%. Survivor FRA (66-67): 100%. Sliding scale between. Note: this is the PIA of deceased — NOT the amount deceased was actually receiving. If deceased delayed to 70, survivor cap is at PIA, not the delayed amount (with some exceptions).

The Switch Strategy

Survivors with their own work record can claim survivor benefit early (age 60-FRA) at reduced rate, then switch to their own benefit at age 70 to capture delayed retirement credits (8%/year). Or the reverse — claim own early, switch to survivor at FRA.

Earnings Test (Before FRA)

If you claim survivor before FRA and earn more than $22,320 (2024), SSA withholds $1 for every $2 above. Above FRA: no earnings test. The earnings test is delayed receipt, not lost — increased benefit later.

Remarriage Effects

Remarry before age 60: lose survivor benefit (with exceptions). Remarry after age 60: keep survivor benefit. Can switch to new spouse's benefit if higher. Multiple marriages may give multiple options to choose from.

Last updated May 2026. Sources: SSA Survivor Benefits, SSA POMS RS 00207.