Social Security Benefits for Your Family

When you start receiving Social Security retirement or disability benefits, other family members also may be eligible for payments. For example, benefits can be paid to your husband or wife:

• If he or she is age 62 or older; or
• At any age if he or she is caring for your child (the child must be younger than 16 or disabled and receiving Social Security benefits on your record). 

Benefits also can be paid to your unmarried children if they are:

• Younger than 18;
• Between 18 and 19 years old, but in elementary or secondary school as full-time students; or
• Age 18 or older and severely disabled (the disability must have started before age 22).

How much can family members get?

Each family member may be eligible for a monthly benefit that is up to half of your retirement or disability benefit amount. However, there is a limit to the total amount of money that can be paid to your family. The limit varies, but is generally equal to about 150 to 180 percent of your retirement benefit.

If you are divorced

If you are divorced, your ex-spouse may qualify for benefits on your earnings. In some situations, he or she may get benefits even if you are not receiving them. To qualify, a divorced spouse must:

• Have been married to you for at least 10 years;
• Have been divorced at least two years;
• Be at least 62 years old;
• Be unmarried; and
• Not be eligible for an equal or higher benefit based on his or her own work or someone else’s work.

Survivors benefits

When you die, your family may be eligible for benefits based on your work.

Family members who can collect benefits include a widow or widower who is:

• 60 or older; or
• 50 or older and disabled; or
• Any age if he or she is caring for your child who is younger than 16 or disabled and receiving Social Security benefits.

Your children can receive benefits, too, if they are unmarried and:

• Younger than 18 years old; or
• Between 18 and 19 years old, but in an elementary or secondary school as full-time students; or
• Age 18 or older and severely disabled (the disability must have started before age 22).
• Additionally, your parents can receive benefits on your earnings if they were dependent on you for at least half of their support.

Payment after death

If you had enough credits, a one-time payment of $255 also will be made after your death. This benefit may be paid to your spouse or minor children if they meet certain requirements.

If you are divorced

If you are divorced, your ex-spouse may be eligible for survivors benefits on your record when you die.
He or she must:

• Be at least age 60 years old (or 50 if disabled) and have been married to you for at least 10 years; or
• Be any age if he or she is caring for a child who is eligible for benefits based on your work; and
• Not be eligible for an equal or higher benefit based on his or her own work; and
• Not be currently married, unless the remarriage occurred after age 60 or after age 50 if disabled.

NOTE: If your ex-spouse remarries after 60, he or she may be eligible for Social Security benefits based both on your work and the new spouse’s work, whichever is higher.

How much will your survivors get?

Your survivors receive a percentage of your basic Social Security benefit—usually in a range from 75 to 100 percent each. However, there is a limit to the amount of money that can be paid each month to a family. The limit varies, but is generally equal to about 150 to 180 percent of your benefit rate.