SS for the remaining spouse when the worker dies

Parent Cafe
1

<p>Not to be morbid, but wwe have had many threads on losing parents lately and I am wondering if those of you who have been through this can clarify what will happen next.</p>

<p>If one person has a $2k SS benefit and the spouse has $1k, what happens when the worker person dies? Does the spouse continue to receive the $1,000 or is that amount adjusted up for survivor benefits? Both are over 65</p>

<p>Is there some sort of SS death benefit?</p>

2

<p>IIRC, $200 death benefit. No monthly payment for surviving spouse in your case above.</p>

3

<p>If I remember correctly, my mother started receiving my father’s benefit but her benefit (which was lower) was discontinued. I am pretty sure that’s how it worked,</p>

4

<p>[If</a> my spouse dies, do I still get his/her Social Security?](<a href=“http://money.cnn.com/retirement/guide/retirementliving_socialsecurity.moneymag/index2.htm]If”>If my spouse dies, do I still get his/her Social Security? - Ultimate Guide to Retirement)</p>

5

<p>My understanding is that the survivor receives the better of SS based on their own contributions or on their spouses contributions. But not both.</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.ssa.gov/survivorplan/ifyou5.htm[/url]”>http://www.ssa.gov/survivorplan/ifyou5.htm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p><a href=“http://www.ssa.gov/survivorplan/otherthings4.htm[/url]”>http://www.ssa.gov/survivorplan/otherthings4.htm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;