Widow's SSI Benefit Estimator
Use this calculator to estimate your potential monthly Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefit as a widow/widower, considering your income sources. This calculator assumes you meet the age (65+) or disability/blindness requirements and the resource limits for SSI.
Estimated Monthly SSI Benefit:
Understanding Widow's SSI Benefits
When a spouse passes away, the surviving partner may be eligible for financial assistance from the Social Security Administration (SSA). It's crucial to understand the distinction between two primary types of benefits: Social Security Survivor Benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Social Security Survivor Benefits
These benefits are paid to eligible family members of a deceased worker who paid Social Security taxes. Eligibility and the amount of survivor benefits depend on the deceased worker's earnings record and the survivor's relationship to the worker (e.g., widow, widower, child). These benefits are an entitlement based on contributions made to the Social Security system.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
SSI is a federal program that provides monthly payments to adults and children with a disability or blindness who have income and resources below specific financial limits. It also provides payments to people 65 and older without disabilities who meet the financial limits. Unlike Social Security Survivor Benefits, SSI is a needs-based program funded by general tax revenues, not by Social Security taxes. Being a "widow" or "widower" does not automatically qualify you for SSI, but the loss of a spouse's income might make you financially eligible if you also meet the age or disability criteria.
How Social Security Survivor Benefits Affect SSI
If you receive Social Security Survivor Benefits, these benefits are generally considered "unearned income" by the SSA. This unearned income will reduce your potential SSI payment. SSI is designed to be a "payment of last resort," meaning it fills the gap between your countable income and the Federal Benefit Rate (FBR).
SSI Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for SSI, you must meet several criteria:
- Age: You must be 65 or older, OR
- Disability/Blindness: You must be determined disabled or blind by the SSA.
- Income Limits: Your countable income must be below the current Federal Benefit Rate (FBR).
- Resource Limits: Your countable resources (assets like bank accounts, investments, property other than your primary residence) must not exceed $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple.
- Citizenship/Residency: You must be a U.S. citizen or eligible alien.
Understanding Countable Income for SSI
The SSA doesn't count all your income when determining your SSI benefit. Certain exclusions apply:
- General Income Exclusion ($20): The first $20 of most income you receive each month is not counted. This exclusion is applied first to unearned income. If your unearned income is less than $20, the remainder of the $20 exclusion is applied to your earned income.
- Earned Income Exclusion ($65 + Half): After the general exclusion (if any remains), the first $65 of your monthly earned income is not counted. After that, only half of the remaining earned income is counted.
- Other Exclusions: There are other specific exclusions for things like infrequent income, certain student earned income, and income set aside for a Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS). This calculator focuses on the primary exclusions.
How the Calculator Works
This calculator uses the 2024 Federal Benefit Rate (FBR) for an individual, which is $943 per month. It takes your reported monthly gross Social Security Survivor Benefits, other unearned income, and earned income, then applies the standard income exclusions to determine your countable income. Your estimated SSI benefit is then calculated by subtracting your total countable income from the FBR.
Formula: Estimated SSI = FBR – (Countable Unearned Income + Countable Earned Income)
Important Considerations
- This calculator provides an estimate. Your actual SSI benefit may vary based on your specific circumstances, including state supplementary payments (some states add to the federal SSI payment), living arrangements (e.g., living in someone else's household and not paying your share of food and shelter can reduce your SSI), and other income exclusions not covered here.
- Always contact the Social Security Administration directly to apply for benefits and get a precise determination of your eligibility and payment amount.
Example Scenarios:
Example 1: Widow with Survivor Benefits Only
Sarah, 68, receives $800 per month in Social Security Survivor Benefits. She has no other income.
- Monthly Gross Social Security Survivor Benefits: $800
- Other Monthly Gross Unearned Income: $0
- Monthly Gross Earned Income: $0
- Calculation:
- Total Gross Unearned Income: $800
- Countable Unearned Income (after $20 exclusion): $800 – $20 = $780
- Countable Earned Income: $0
- Total Countable Income: $780
- Estimated SSI: $943 (FBR) – $780 = $163
- Estimated Monthly SSI Benefit: $163
Example 2: Widow with Survivor Benefits and Part-Time Work
Maria, 66, receives $500 per month in Social Security Survivor Benefits and earns $400 per month from a part-time job.
- Monthly Gross Social Security Survivor Benefits: $500
- Other Monthly Gross Unearned Income: $0
- Monthly Gross Earned Income: $400
- Calculation:
- Total Gross Unearned Income: $500
- Countable Unearned Income (after $20 exclusion): $500 – $20 = $480
- Remaining General Exclusion: $0 (all $20 used by unearned income)
- Earned Income after General Exclusion: $400 – $0 = $400
- Earned Income after $65 exclusion: $400 – $65 = $335
- Countable Earned Income (half of remaining): $335 / 2 = $167.50
- Total Countable Income: $480 + $167.50 = $647.50
- Estimated SSI: $943 (FBR) – $647.50 = $295.50
- Estimated Monthly SSI Benefit: $295.50
Example 3: Widow with High Survivor Benefits
Eleanor, 70, receives $1,200 per month in Social Security Survivor Benefits and has no other income.
- Monthly Gross Social Security Survivor Benefits: $1,200
- Other Monthly Gross Unearned Income: $0
- Monthly Gross Earned Income: $0
- Calculation:
- Total Gross Unearned Income: $1,200
- Countable Unearned Income (after $20 exclusion): $1,200 – $20 = $1,180
- Countable Earned Income: $0
- Total Countable Income: $1,180
- Estimated SSI: $943 (FBR) – $1,180 = -$237
- Since the result is negative, the estimated SSI benefit is $0.
- Estimated Monthly SSI Benefit: $0