Spousal/Survivor Benefit Calculator

Calculate spousal and survivor benefit entitlements from a partner's record.

About Spousal/Survivor Benefit Calculator

The lower earner receives the greater of their own benefit or the spousal amount rather than both. On the first death the household loses the smaller of the two benefits entirely. Household income typically falls by a third or more on first death while many costs remain, which is why the higher earner's claiming age affects the survivor for life.

Formula

Spousal/Survivor Benefit

Spousal benefit is a share of the higher earner's entitlement; survivors receive the full amount

spousal benefit: Typically up to half the higher earner's benefit at full retirement age
survivor benefit: Up to the full amount the deceased was receiving

Worked example

With the default values below, Spousal/Survivor Benefit Calculator returns Spousal Benefit Payable of $975.13. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Higher earner monthly benefitminimum 0: 2,600
Lower earner own monthly benefitminimum 0: 900
Spousal benefit share at full retirement ageaccepts 0–100 %: 50 %
Lower earner claiming ageaccepts 60–70 years: 64 years
Full retirement ageaccepts 60–70 years: 67 years

Results

Spousal Benefit Payable: $975.13
Survivor Benefit if the Higher Earner Dies First: $1,950.26
Household Benefit While Both Are Alive: $3,575.13
Household Benefit After One Death: $1,950.26
Household Income Drop on First Death: 45.45%

Step by step

1Values used
2Spousal/Survivor Benefit
3Spousal Benefit Payable= 975.13
4Survivor Benefit if the Higher Earner Dies First= 1,950.26
5Household Benefit While Both Are Alive= 3,575.13
6Household Benefit After One Death= 1,950.26
7Household Income Drop on First Death= 45.45

Assumptions and limits

The result is derived only from the 5 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
Figures are rounded for display to 2 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.
This is a general illustration, not financial, tax or legal advice. Rules, thresholds and rates vary by jurisdiction and change frequently, and individual circumstances materially affect outcomes. Consult a qualified adviser before making any decision based on these figures.
This is an estimate for general information and not professional financial, tax or legal advice. See the full disclaimer for the limits that apply to this kind of calculator.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

This is a general illustration, not financial, tax or legal advice. Rules, thresholds and rates vary by jurisdiction and change frequently, and individual circumstances materially affect outcomes. Consult a qualified adviser before making any decision based on these figures.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is Spousal/Survivor Benefit calculated?

Spousal benefit is a share of the higher earner's entitlement; survivors receive the full amount The lower earner receives the greater of their own benefit or the spousal amount rather than both. On the first death the household loses the smaller of the two benefits entirely.

Why does Spousal/Survivor Benefit matter?

Household income typically falls by a third or more on first death while many costs remain, which is why the higher earner's claiming age affects the survivor for life.

What values do I need to enter?

This calculator takes 5 inputs: Higher earner monthly benefit, Lower earner own monthly benefit, Spousal benefit share at full retirement age, Lower earner claiming age, Full retirement age. The pre-filled defaults are a realistic starting point — replace them with figures from your own environment for a result you can act on.