Benefits are payable only if the deceased was insured for survivors insurance protection.
Coverage credits under the social security systems of certain foreign countries with which the U.S. has reciprocal agreements may be taken into account to meet the requirements. All survivors benefits, other than for beneficiaries age 70 and over, are subject to an earnings test. Except for benefits to children and dependent parents, all survivors benefits are subject to a pension offset if the person is also receiving a governmental pension based on his or her own work in non-covered employment. The amount of the public pension used for purposes of the offset against Social Security survivor's benefits is equal to two- thirds of the public pension. To claim benefits as disabled widows, widowers, or surviving divorced spouses, individuals ages 50-59 must show that they have a disability that started no later than 7 years after the insured died or 7 years after certain other entitlements ended.