Losing a spouse or going through a divorce can raise urgent questions about Social Security income.
In some cases, a monthly check can increase. In others, it stays the same. The difference comes down to a few key rules tied to a retiree’s earnings record and how benefits are calculated.
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Whether you’re widowed or divorced, here are two Social Security scenarios where your check could rise and two where it won’t.
Widow: Spouse Earned More
If a spouse earned more, their Social Security check is usually higher. After they die, the surviving spouse may be able to take that higher amount instead.
Social Security allows widows and widowers to receive up to what their spouse was getting. If that amount is higher than their own benefit, their monthly check can increase.
For many retirees, this is one of the most common ways a Social Security check goes up after a spouse’s death.
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Widow: Early Claiming Reduces
A surviving spouse can claim Social Security as early as age 60. But starting that early comes with a smaller monthly check.
According to the Social Security Administration, a widow who claims at age 60 may receive about 71.5% of their spouse’s benefit. That means the increase may be smaller than expected.
Waiting longer can result in a higher monthly amount.
Divorced: Accessing Ex-Spouse’s Benefits
Divorce does not automatically cut off access to a former spouse’s Social Security record.
If a marriage lasted at least 10 years, a divorcée may still be able to claim based on that ex-spouse’s earnings. That can lead to a higher monthly check if the ex earned more.
For some retirees, this creates a path to a larger benefit that would not exist otherwise.
Divorced: Working While Collecting Can Reduce Benefits
A divorcée may qualify for a higher Social Security benefit based on an ex-spouse’s record. However, working while collecting can affect how much is actually paid.
If someone is working and earning above Social Security’s limits, part of the benefit gets held back.
In 2026, that means $1 in benefits is withheld for every $2 earned over $24,480 before full retirement age. The monthly check can come in lower than expected, even if the benefit itself is higher.
What to Do Now
After a death or a divorce, the Social Security check isn’t fixed. What shows up each month depends on a few key choices.
Start by figuring out what applies. A higher-earning spouse or ex can open the door to more money.
However, claiming too early, remarrying or continuing to work can limit what actually gets paid. Those decisions can change the Social Security check and carry forward over time.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Widowed or Divorced? 2 Social Security Scenarios Where Your Check Could Rise — and 2 Where It Won’t
