Synopsis

This article provides an overview of Social Security survivors benefits. The information provided is a guide to help estate planners and their clients understand who is eligible for survivors benefits after the loss of a loved one. By understanding the eligibility criteria, application process, and available resources, estate planners can help their clients get the support and benefits they are eligible to receive.

Introduction

The loss of a loved one is an emotional experience, often leaving survivors feeling overwhelmed. During such challenging times, it is important to understand the eligibility criteria and application process for Social Security benefits. Knowing this can help eligible family members receive the benefits they are entitled to.

Who is eligible

Survivors benefits are available to certain family members of a deceased worker. A survivor may receive monthly Social Security benefits if their loved one worked and paid Social Security taxes long enough to be eligible for benefits. Eligible family members include:

• A surviving spouse who is:
  • Age 60 or older (or age 50 or older if they have a disability).
  • Any age and caring for the deceased’s child who is younger than age 16, or who has a disability and is receiving Social Security benefits.
• An unmarried child of the deceased who is either:
  • Younger than age 18 (or up to age 19 if they’re a full-time student in an elementary or secondary school).
  • Age 18 or older with a disability that began before age 22.
• A stepchild, grandchild, step-grandchild, or adopted child, in certain circumstances.

• Parents, age 62 or older, who were dependent on the deceased for at least one-half of their support.

• A surviving divorced spouse, in certain circumstances.

Lump-Sum Death Payment

In addition to monthly survivors benefits, a one-time lump sum death payment of $255 can be paid to the surviving spouse or child if they meet certain requirements. Survivors must apply for this payment within 2 years of the worker’s death.

How Much Will Survivors Receive

The amount of benefits survivors receive depends on the worker’s lifetime earnings. The higher the worker’s earnings, the higher benefits their survivors will receive.  As a part of estate planning, understanding the amount of survivors benefits can help your clients plan their financial future in the event of the worker’s passing. Your clients can get an estimate of their survivors benefits by creating a personal my Social Security account at www.ssa.gov/myaccount.  The Social Security Statement will let you and your clients see an estimate of the survivors benefits we could pay their family. Your clients can also visit our online Benefit Calculators | SSA to get an estimate of their survivors benefits. To find out more about the benefits survivors can receive visit Social Security’s webpage: If You Are the Survivor | SSA

How to Apply

How a survivor signs up for survivors benefits depends on whether they are already receiving Social Security payments. People who are already receiving Social Security benefits on the deceased person’s record don’t need to take any action. This is because Social Security will automatically change their payments to survivors benefits upon receiving a notice of death.

People who believe they may be eligible for survivors benefits, but are not currently receiving them, should contact Social Security to complete an application for benefits. This also applies to people who are currently receiving Social Security benefits based on their own work record but want to find out if they would be entitled to a higher benefit on the deceased’s work record.

The application for survivors benefits is not available online. To apply for survivors benefits, call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. local time, or contact any local Social Security office.

They should contact us right away to avoid a loss of benefits. Benefits are paid from the date of the application and not from the time the worker died.

In most areas, Social Security will contact the survivors of a deceased worker once they receive a notice of death from a funeral home, on Form SSA-721, Statement of Death by Funeral Director. 

Information Needed

Social Security will need certain information but a person should not delay applying if they don’t have everything. Social Security will help them get what they need. Acceptable documents include either originals or copies certified by the agency that issued them. To see what information and documents your clients need, visit our website at www.ssa.gov/benefits/survivors.

Conclusion:

For more information about survivors benefits, you and your clients should visit  www.ssa.gov/benefits/survivors/ifyou.html or read the publications: “Survivors Benefits” at www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10084.pdf and “How Social Security Can Help You When a Family Member Dies” at www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10008.pdf. You can also call toll-free 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. local time or contact any local Social Security office.