You can keep receiving benefits even after your partner has passed away

A secret few people talk about is that you can end up being eligible for a new type of Social Security benefit after you have lost your partner: survivor’s benefits. In these cases, the surviving spouse can end up being eligible for up to 100% of their partner’s benefits. There are different tiers, and depending on the situation, you will be getting anywhere from 71.5% to 100%.

If you’re a widow/widower and you have reached full retirement age, then you will be getting 100% of the deceased’s Social Security benefits. If you’re over the age of 60 but didn’t reach full retirement age, then you can get anywhere between 71.5% and 99%. If your child is under the age of 16, no matter what age you are when your spouse dies, you will get 75%. Last but not least, if you’re between the ages of 50 and 59 and living with a disability, then you will be receiving 71.5%.

Moreover, any dependents or children may also end up qualifying for benefits, all with their own regulations and thresholds in place.