WI23-Q3: Under-Claiming of Survivors’ Benefits Among Non-Elderly Adults

Social Security Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) offers support for the economic stability of working-age widow/widower households with children. Understanding patterns in Survivor Insurance (SI) claims may be especially important when considering factors that contribute to inequality by race, income and other factors for families facing the financial shock of a deceased spouse. Based on data from 2019 and 2021, we do not find strong evidence of underclaiming for SI overall but do observe gaps among some low-income widow/widower parents receiving support from Social Security after losing a spouse, especially among Blacks and men, as well as education and employment status. These parents may benefit from outreach about how to claim SI benefits.