Widowhood Pension Procedure

The general procedure is presented below.

What is the Social Security widow's/widower's pension?

This is a financial benefit consisting of a lifelong pension granted to those who have had a marital or civil partnership with the deceased person and who meet the requirements.

What formalities are necessary?

• Complete the Survivors' Benefits application form.
• The personal and specific documentation indicated in the application form.

Where is it processed?

You can carry out this procedure through the Social Security Electronic Office (https://sede.seg-social.gob.es), ordinary post or at a Social Security Assistance and Information Centre, requesting an appointment by calling 901 10 65 70/ 91 541 25 30 or on the web at www.seg-social.es
Sea workers must submit it to the Provincial Offices of the Social Marine Institute (ISM).

The right is recognised by the National Social Security Institute (INSS), except for seafarers, in which case it is recognised by the Social Marine Institute (ISM) and when the death is due to work-related injury, the Social Security Mutual Society Partner.

When is the widow/widower's pension applied for and when does payment begin?

The pension may be applied for at any time following the death. However, when the application is submitted after the three months following the death, the pension is paid with a maximum backdating of 3 months from the application date.

When the application is submitted within the 3 months following the death, the pension is paid:

If the deceased was registered, in a situation assimilated to registration or not registered, from the day following the date of the causal event.
If the deceased was a pensioner, from the first day of the month following the date of the causal event.

When does the right to receive the pension expire?

The widow's/widower's pension has expired:

For remarrying or entering into a domestic partnership (with some exceptions).
By being judged in a final sentence of being guilty of the death of the originator.
On the death of the pensioner.
The missing person was found not to be deceased.