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Skip NavLesson:  Survivor Benefits
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Lesson Topics
Introduction
Eligibility
Amount of Benefits
Applying for Benefits
Survivor Benefits & Reduction to Social Security
Military Service
Government Survivor Annuity Info
Resources
Summary & Case Studies

How Does a Worker Earn Survivor Benefits?

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Photo of some middle-age people at a place of work

Workers earn survivor benefits while working when they pay Social Security taxes and earn credits. It is possible to earn a maximum of four credits per year.

The number of credits required for survivor benefits depends on the age of the worker at death. The younger a person is, the fewer credits he or she needs to have family members be eligible for survivor benefits.

In any case, no one needs more than 40 credits (10 years of work) to be eligible for any Social Security benefits.

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