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Percent of Full Retirement Age Spousal Benefits
SSA uses the deceased worker’s basic benefit amount to calculate the percentage survivors get. The percentage depends on the survivor’s age and relationship to the worker. If the worker who died was getting reduced benefits, the survivor’s benefit will be based on the reduced amount.11
When you qualify for Social Security retirement benefits, your children may also qualify to receive benefits on your record. Your eligible child can be your biological child, adopted child or stepchild. A dependent grandchild may also qualify. A child may receive benefits until age 18 with a few exceptions.
Within your family, each qualified child may receive a monthly payment up to one-half of your full retirement benefit amount. However, there is a maximum benefit amount for each family. The maximum benefit amount depends on your benefit amount and the number of family members who also qualify on your record. The limit varies between 150% and 180% of the deceased worker’s benefit amount.
If you have a divorced spouse who qualifies for benefits, it will not affect the amount of benefits you or your family may receive.
There are two programs administered by the Social Security Administration, which provide assistance to people with disabilities. Although these two programs are very different, only individuals who have a disability and meet medical criteria may qualify for benefits under either program.
1 |
Social Security Disability Insurance pays benefits to you and certain members of your family if you are insured, meaning you have worked long enough and paid Social Security taxes. |
2 |
Supplemental Security Income pays benefits based on financial need. |
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This material has been distributed for informational purposes only and should not be considered as investment advice or a recommendation of any particular investment, strategy, investment manager or account arrangement. Information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but not guaranteed. Please consult your legal, tax or investment advisor in order to determine whether an investment product or service is appropriate for your particular situation. No part of this material may be reproduced in any form, or referred to in any other publication, without express written permission. BNY Mellon Corporation and BNY Mellon Securities Corporation are companies of BNY Mellon.
11 “Survivor Benefits, 2017,” Social Security Administration.
MARK-25197-2018-04-06