SS Survivor Benefits

[jehovasfitness23]

Might be a dumb question, but when it comes to SS Survivor Benefits.

Say I were to pass. Would my wife only get the benefit allotted for our child, or would she get a benefit on top of what the child would?

Our SS statement states: Spouse that cares for child would get X... Child would get X... I assume this as both amounts combined... the amounts seem to be the same for each.

[ericrugiero]

My understanding is that the benefits are added together up to the family max.  So, the child's benefit plus the spouse benefit are added together.  If you reach a certain level the benefit is capped at that max.  When I researched it for me we would have hit that level if I passed away.  With only one child, you most likely would not hit the max.  Also, there is an age where the child's benefits are phased out. 

[NumberJohnny5]

There is a family max. You won't get over that amount, regardless of number of kids.

There's an amount you get per kid, I think it's up to age 18. It's extended until they graduate high school up to 19 I believe (so if your child turns 18 in December of their Senior year, they'll keep getting payments until they graduate high school in May/June). On top of the amount you get per kid, you also get an amount for yourself IF one of your kids is under 16. Once they hit 16, YOU don't get a payment anymore, though your kid will until they turn 18 (or later, see above).

[jehovasfitness23]

There is a family max. You won't get over that amount, regardless of number of kids.

There's an amount you get per kid, I think it's up to age 18. It's extended until they graduate high school up to 19 I believe (so if your child turns 18 in December of their Senior year, they'll keep getting payments until they graduate high school in May/June). On top of the amount you get per kid, you also get an amount for yourself IF one of your kids is under 16. Once they hit 16, YOU don't get a payment anymore, though your kid will until they turn 18 (or later, see above).

yes, sorry meant to include the max amount. But total of my wife and child is below the max. Thanks

[Catbert]

Your wife would be entitled to a benefit until your child is 16.  However, if she's working it is offset $1 for each $2 earned over ~18K (changes yearly).  Your child would get a benefit until 18 or 19 if still in high school.

[Arbitrage]

You've gotten good info so far.  Basically, a surviving spouse with a 2+ kids in the right age range can get a LOT of money (by mustachian standards) and will probably hit the family max.  Part of my rationale for dropping my term life insurance as I was approaching FI - the survivor benefits, token life insurance through work, and existing stash would leave the surviving family members with much more than our FI number. 

[DireWolf]

Wanted to throw out a few more things.

Any amount coming in kids names is potentially tax free, so with choice between spouse taking or kid taking (and family max being what it is), go with the kid. Pretty sure SSA will do that by default. It also shouldn’t hurt the kid for FAFSA from what I can tell (might be worth NOT working in high school and not needing to file a return).

Surviving Spouse can start collecting their own benefit on your record (without regard to kids) as early as age 60 (earlier than the normal 62).