When my husband dies, do I get his Social Security and mine?

Question

Bill Filer · Accepted Answer

This is a good question. 

If you qualify to receive social security based on your own work record, and if you qualify for survivor's benefits as well, it is unlikely that you will receive both. Uncle Sam will most likely payout the higher of the two amounts, not both.

If you do not qualify for social security on your own, and your spouse passes away, you may be eligible for the survivor benefit. There are certain criteria that must be met in order to qualify. I would absolutely encourage you to check out ssa.gov for more info.

Larry Dalton · Answer

Losing a spouse is undoubtedly challenging and ushers in a period of changes.  At this time you have the right to access your spouse's Social Security benefits or your own, but the benefits cannot be combined.

This transition may place you in a lower income bracket, qualifying you for State Assistance. Then you could enroll in a dual insurance policy, which comes with enhanced benefits under a Medicare Advantage plan.

Misty Bolt · Answer

This answer is provided in a video format. Watch the agent's video response here: https://medicareagentshub.com/questions/when-husband-dies-do-i-get-his-social-security-and-mine#misty-bolt

Clarence &quot;Mark&quot; Christiansen · Answer

You can't receive both your full benefit and your husband's survivor benefit at the same time. If your survivor benefit is higher than your own benefit, you can switch to the survivor benefit. However, the Social Security Administration will give you the higher of the two amounts, but not both.

Answered by Clarence "Mark" Christiansen on March 30, 2025

Agent Licensed in WI, AZ, CA & 16 other states

Answered by Clarence "Mark" Christiansen Medicare Insurance Agent

Nikki Rowland · Answer

When your husband passes away, you do not receive both your Social Security benefit and his in full. Instead, you will receive the higher of the two benefits.

Richard Moreno · Answer

No, you only get one social security income. You will receive the higher of the two incomes that you and your husband were receiving.

Luke Rhoads · Answer

When your husband dies, you will not receive both your Social Security benefit and his survivor benefit. Instead, you will receive whichever amount is higher.

Dutch VanHoesen · Answer

Typically you would be eligible for survivor benefits depending on many different variables. You'd be eligible for the $255 death benefit once again providing you meet certain requirements.

David Wynne · Answer

When your husband passes away, you do not receive both your Social Security benefit and his in full. Instead, you will receive the higher of the two benefits.

Answered by Nikki Rowland on April 2, 2025

Broker Licensed in SC & NC

Answered by Nikki Rowland Medicare Insurance Agent

Timothy Brown · Answer

Unfortunately no because Social Security is  considered an individual benefit. If your husband’s Social Security income is higher than yours, you will receive his instead.

Diana Garner · Answer

If your husband passes away and his Social Security benefit is the higher amount, you will draw his benefit and lose yours. If your benefit amount is higher, you will continue to draw your own and lose his.

Answered by Diana Garner on July 20, 2025

Broker Licensed in KY, FL, IN, OH & TN

Answered by Diana Garner Medicare Insurance Agent

Maurice Ellis · Answer

When a spouse dies, the surviving spouse will not receive both their own Social Security benefits and their deceased spouse's benefits. Instead, they will receive the higher of the two benefits. If the surviving spouse is already receiving their own retirement benefits, they will receive the higher amount between their own benefit and the survivor benefit based on their deceased spouse's record.

Answered by Maurice Ellis on July 7, 2025

Agent Licensed in MS, AL, AR & 17 other states

Answered by Maurice Ellis Medicare Insurance Agent

Fred Manas · Answer

When a spouse dies, the surviving spouse can receive benefits from both their own Social Security record and their deceased spouse's record, but not both at the same time. The surviving spouse will receive the higher of the two amounts. 
Here's a more detailed explanation:
Survivor Benefits:
Upon a spouse's death, the surviving spouse may be eligible for "survivor benefits" on the deceased spouse's Social Security record. This benefit is a percentage of the deceased spouse's retirement benefit, typically between 71.5% and 100%. 
Retirement Benefits:
The surviving spouse can also receive their own Social Security retirement benefits, which are based on their individual work history. 
Choice:
Social Security will pay the surviving spouse the higher of their own retirement benefit or the survivor benefit on the deceased spouse's record. You cannot collect both. 
Other Considerations:
There are other survivor benefits available for families, including a one-time death payment and potential benefits for children.

Gary Henderson · Answer

No 
The sad part about social security is you do not get your spouse's benefits and yours 
What you can do is get the higher of the two, so if you've got more money through your spouse's benefits, the social security administration would be assign that to you 
The sad part of all of this people can work all their lives. Retire at 62 die the next day and all that money that was paid into it reverts back to the government and that is just very wrong in my opinion

Vachik Chakhbazian · Answer

You will receive either his survivor benefit (which is based on his work history) or your own retirement benefit, whichever is higher. Social Security only pays one benefit at a time.

Steve Brauer · Answer

I like to stick to my own lane...I always send people, and even accompany my clients many times, to the Dept of Social Security here in Phoenix. The people I've worked with there are super knowledgeable and helpful. I would not want to inform you about something like that if I was not 100% comfortable with it.

Answered by Steve Brauer on April 8, 2025

Broker Licensed in AZ & CA

Answered by Steve Brauer Medicare Insurance Agent

Bob Nunn · Answer

First your husband when signing up needed to assign you to get his SS upon his death . You will have to choose one or the other .

Jami Mead · Answer

In the event of a death of a spouse, the surviving spouse will receive the higher of the two between Social Security. Example is if your husband passes before you do and he makes $2,000 a month in Social Security payments and you only receive $1,500 a month in Social Security payments you would begin to receive the $2,000 a month.

Answered by Jami Mead on July 7, 2025

Broker Licensed in OH, FL, GA & 11 other states

Answered by Jami Mead Medicare Insurance Agent

Robert Barco · Answer

You will receive the higher payment from Social Security, either your husband's or yours, but not both.

Tonya Mowan · Answer

When your husband dies, you do not receive both your full Social Security benefit and his. Instead, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will pay you the higher of the two benefits, not both.
If your Social Security benefit is less than your husband’s, you may qualify for survivor benefits based on his record. If your benefit is more than his, you will keep your own.
In the event that this occurs it is best to set an appointment with the SSA office and discuss your situation with the SSA representative. They will provide you with the list of documents that you will need to complete the process.

Gabrielle Sones · Answer

You may qualify for some of your spouse's benefits, but you may not receive both your retirement benefits and his/her benefits at the same time.

Virginia Barausky · Answer

Great question! depends! Find an agent that is RSSA certified and they can help you - you may get the best of both of them! SSA.gov is also a resource although they do not give advice