Will my spouse and kids receive benefits when I die?
- How does Social Security work?
- Does Social Security cover retirees only?
- How does my work now equal benefits later?
- Am I eligible for Social Security benefits?
- How do I know I'm getting credit for the years I worked?
- What about my eligibility for Medicare benefits?
- When can I start getting payouts?
- Why should I wait past age 62 to start collecting?
- How much will my payouts be if I collect at 62?
- How much will my payments be if I wait until age 70?
- Can I start collecting benefits if I'm still working?
- What's the best age to start getting payouts?
- How big will my payouts be?
- What if I want to work part-time in retirement?
- Will my spouse and kids receive benefits when I die?
- How do Social Security disability payments work?
- Will I get taxed on my Social Security payouts?
- Will Social Security still exist when I retire?
- How does Social Security fit into my retirement plan?
Survivor benefits are available for certain family members as long as you accumulated the 40 credits before dying.
Your children may qualify for 75% of your Social Security benefits based on your record of contributions, up until they turn 18 years old (or 19, in the case of a child still in elementary or secondary school). As for your spouse, he or she can receive a reduced benefit (71.5% of your benefits) as early as age 60, or your full benefit after reaching full retirement age. Those benefits will continue indefinitely unless your spouse remarries.
Benefits for your spouse and kids are also limited by a family maximum, which is the maximum amount that can be paid from your earnings record. For more details on survivor benefits, check out the Social Security Administration's Web site.
