The short answer
It may be one of several. Survivor benefits depend on his work record, your age when you start, and your own benefit. Sometimes you can take one benefit first and switch to the other later.
Ask for the figures at more than one age, in writing, before you choose.
This chapter explains how things usually work in the United States. It is not legal, tax or financial advice, and the rules where you live may differ. Before you act on anything here, check it with one of the people named at the end of the chapter.
What to do
- Book an appointment with Social Security, by phone or at a local office, if you don't have one yet.
- Ask which papers to bring, such as both Social Security numbers, a certified copy of the death certificate, your marriage certificate and your ID.
- Ask what you could receive if you start now, at full retirement age, and at the latest starting age.
- Ask whether you could take one benefit now and switch to the other later.
- Ask about the one-time $255 death payment, which must be applied for within 2 years of his death.
- Ask for every figure in writing.
- Take the figures to a fee-only financial planner before you choose.
What can wait
- The choice itself, once you have the figures in writing. Before you wait, ask Social Security whether waiting to apply could cost you any months of payments. A survivor benefit started before your full retirement age usually can't be paid for months before you apply. After that age, it can usually be paid for up to 6 months back.
- Remarriage questions, until they are real ones.
Who can help
Social Security, 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). If the wait for an appointment is long, book anyway and keep the date.
A fee-only financial planner can look at the figures with you. Who can I trust to help with money? explains who that is and how to check them.
The rules, phone numbers and web addresses in this book were checked against the agencies’ own pages in October 2026. They change, so check anything you rely on with the office itself.
From Book 2: The Money
This page has the short answer and the closing lists from chapter 2. The full chapter explains, in plain words, what exists, what to ask, and who can answer. The book covers months 1 to 6.
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