Survivors benefits

Survivors benefits are a sum of money paid to the surviving spouse and dependents of an eligible deceased worker. Beneficiaries include widows, widowers (and divorced widows and widowers), children, and dependent parents. A portion of the taxes paid by the deceased worker to the Social Security Administration is used for survivors benefits. The amount of the benefit depends on the deceased worker's average lifetime earnings. The benefit requires an application to the Social Security Administration. For additional information, see the SSA Survivors Benefits page.