Social Security Q & A- How much will a widow receive

How much will a widow receive in Social Security benefits?

The amount you will get is a percentage of the deceased's basic Social Security benefit. The percentage depends on your age and the type of benefit you are eligible for. A widow or widower, full retirement age or older, will receive 100 percent deceased's basic Social Security benefit.

A widow or widower can receive full benefits at age 65 or older (if born before January 2, 1940) or reduced benefits as early as age 60. The age for receiving full benefits is increasing for widows and widowers born after 1939 until it reaches age 67 for people born in 1962 and later.

Year of Birth Note: Persons born on January 1 of any year should refer to the previous year.	Full Retirement Age	Age 60 Reduction Months	Monthly % Reduction*
1939 or earlier	65	60	.475
1940	65 and 2 months	62	.460
1941	65 and 4 months	64	.445
1942	65 and 6 months	66	.432
1943	65 and 8 months	68	.419
1944	65 and 10 months	70	.407
1945--1956	66	72	.396
1957	66 and 2 months	74	.385
1958	66 and 4 months	76	.375
1959	66 and 6 months	78	.365
1960	66 and 8 months	80	.356
1961	66 and 10 months	82	.348
1962 and later	67	84	.339
* Monthly reduction percentages are approximate due to rounding. The total % reduction for anyone who receives benefits at age 60 is always 28.50.