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.