If my spouse dies, do I get his Social Security and mine?
Answered by 11 licensed agents
Good question! You cannot collect both Social Security benefits in full, but you receive the higher of the two amounts. Social Security combines your earned retirement benefit and your survivor benefit into a single, maximum monthly payment.
Usually no. You generally cannot collect both your full Social Security benefit and your spouse's full benefit at the same time.
If your spouse dies, you may be eligible for survivor benefits. Social Security will typically pay the higher of the two benefits (your own or your survivor benefit), not both added together.
There are exceptions and special rules, so the exact amount depends on your ages, work records, and when benefits are claimed.
Unfortunately no. Many people make this mistake. When both spouses are receiving their Social Security benefit and one spouse dies, the surviving spouse gets the higher of the two checks. Though this may seem like the spouse with the lower payment is getting an increase, the household is actually receiving a reduction. There is always a pay cut to the household of the surviving spouse.
Generally speaking, no. In most instances, the surviving spouse will receive the higher of the 2 monthly amounts. For example, if Mr. X receives $2000 per month and Mrs. X received $1700 per month, if Mr. X were to pass before Mrs. X, her monthly Social Security payment would increase to $2000 per month.
You wouldn't receive both in full. Social Security pays you the higher of the two amounts, your own benefit or a survivor benefit, not a combination of both.
The simple answer is "No" ... you generally receive the higher of your own Social Security benefit or the survivor benefit, rather than both added together. However, there is more to it: your age, eligibility, and when you claim can affect the amount. Consult with your agent for guidance or contact Social Security directly to confirm your specific benefits and options. Hope this helps.
That is more of a question for Social Security than Medicare...but there is some sort of survivors benefits if a spouse dies. I am not sure if it is 100% or a portion of it. I would recommend contacting SSA.gov.
