Survivor pension calculator
Estimate the monthly survivor pension (Pensão de Sobrevivência) from Segurança Social based on the deceased's pension and your family composition.
What is the Pensão de Sobrevivência?
The survivor's pension is a monthly payment from Segurança Social to the surviving family of a person who was contributing to Social Security or already receiving a pension. It is a percentage of the deceased's pension or calculated reference pension.
Deceased's pension information
If the deceased was still working (not retired), contact Segurança Social for the calculated reference amount.
Family composition
Eligible children: under 18 years old, or up to 25 if students (27 for master's or doctoral studies), or any age if disabled. Ascendants only qualify if they depended on the deceased and no spouse, ex-spouse or child is entitled.
Pension percentages
The survivor pension is calculated as a percentage of the deceased's pension:
- • Spouse only: 60%
- • Spouse + 1 child: 80%
- • Spouse + 2 children: 90%
- • Spouse + 3+ children: 100%
- • 1 child only (no spouse): 40%
- • 2 children only (no spouse): 60%
- • 3+ children only (no spouse): 80%
- • 1 dependent ascendant (no spouse or children): 30%
- • 2 ascendants: 50%
- • 3+ ascendants: 80%
Source: Decree-Law 322/90, articles 25 to 27.
Conditions that affect this result
- Qualifying period: the deceased must have at least 36 months of contributions to the general scheme.
- Spouse under 35: with no common children entitled to the pension, the spouse receives it for 5 years only (article 38 of Decree-Law 322/90).
- Ex-spouse: only entitled if they received maintenance from the deceased, and the pension cannot exceed that maintenance amount.
How to apply
- Apply online at Segurança Social Direta or at a local office
- Documents needed: death certificate, marriage certificate, children's birth certificates, deceased's NIF and NISS
- The pension is paid monthly, usually on the same day the deceased received their pension
- Apply within 6 months of the death registration to be paid from the month after the death. Later applications are paid from the month after the request (article 36)
Combining with other pensions
- Spouse, partner or ex-spouse: may combine the survivor pension with their own old-age or invalidity pension from contributory schemes (Portuguese or foreign) with no reduction.
- Children and ascendants: cannot combine it with their own old-age or invalidity pension.
- Non-contributory pensions: can only be combined up to the minimum amount guaranteed by the general scheme.
Source: ISS practical guide on the survivor pension, section G.
Also remember
In addition to the survivor pension, you may also be entitled to the Subsídio por Morte (death subsidy) of 1,611.39 EUR (one-time payment). These are separate benefits and both can be claimed.