Survivor Benefit (Social Security)
The Social Security benefit a widow or widower can receive based on a deceased spouse's record.
A survivor benefit allows a widow or widower to receive Social Security based on their deceased spouse's earnings record, potentially up to 100% of what the late spouse was receiving or had earned. For many couples, the survivor benefit is the single strongest reason for the higher earner to delay claiming, because that larger benefit carries over to whichever spouse lives longer.
The interaction with claiming age is the key planning point: by waiting to 70, the higher earner doesn't just maximize their own check, they lock in a larger lifetime benefit for the surviving spouse, who will eventually live on just one Social Security benefit instead of two.
This definition is general information to help you understand a term, not financial, tax, or legal advice. Figures that change year to year (limits, thresholds, rates) should be confirmed against current official sources. For guidance on your situation, a licensed fee-only fiduciary is the right next step.