A caring solution to help you plan for the future and settle affairs after a loss.
What are Social Security Survivor benefits?
Did you know the Social Security program provides benefits to qualifying family members of deceased relatives? Widows, widowers, dependents of deceased individuals, and other relatives are entitled to receive Social Security Survivor benefits after the death of a loved one—provided the deceased individual meets the qualifying requirements for the program.
How to qualify
For family members to qualify for survivor benefits, the deceased individual must have earned a qualifying number of Social Security credits during their lifetime. The qualifying number of credits varies based on the individual's age at the time of their death, and the agency will determine a worker's number of credits based on their work history. In general, a worker receives one credit for every $1,510 of wages they earn in a year with a maximum of four credits per year. As such, when a worker earns $6,040 or more in wages or self-employment income in a year, they will receive the maximum of four credits for that year.
Who is eligible for benefits?
Certain relatives of qualifying workers are eligible for survivor benefits. Specifically, widows and widowers, unmarried children, certain other dependants, and dependent parents are eligible for benefits. Under certain circumstances, surviving divorced spouses may also be eligible for benefits. Although the eligibility requirements for each group vary, individuals in these groups should look into the specific requirements—which can be found here—and apply if they believe they meet the requirements.
How much are the benefits?
The amount of Survivor Benefits a family member receives depends on your deceased loved one’s past earnings and the survivor’s personal circumstances. In general, the higher the income of the deceased individual the higher the amount of Survivor Benefits family members will receive. Personal circumstances that affect the amount of benefits include your relationship to the deceased individual, proximity to retirement age, number of children, and disability status. For more details on the various factors affecting Survivor benefits, check out the section titled “How Much Would Your Survivors Receive” on this webpage. You can also estimate the amount of Survivor benefits your family would receive in the case of your death by reviewing your Social Security statement on the administration's website after creating my Social Security account. To create a my Social Security account and estimate your benefits, visit this webpage.
Spouses and children of deceased individuals may also apply for a one-time payment of $255 given the deceased individual has earned enough Social Security credits. Importantly, this one-time payment must be applied for within two years of the deceased individual's death.
How to apply?
As just mentioned, it is important to apply for benefits as soon as possible after an individual’s death. Aside from the one-time payment, survivors' benefits are paid based on time of application—rather than the time of death.
If you’re not already receiving social security benefits, you may apply for Survivor benefits through the phone or by going to the nearest Social Security office. The agency will request certain documentation before granting benefits. This necessary documentation can also vary depending on your relationship to the deceased individual, but in all cases, you need to provide proof of death, both your and the deceased individual’s social security number, your birth certificate, the deceased individual’s latest tax return (either W-2 or federal self-employment return), and your direct deposit information. You may also need to provide proof of marriage or divorce and the social security number of any dependent children. If you’re missing certain documents, the agency will help you gather the necessary information, so you should still apply as soon as possible.
If you’re already receiving Social Security benefits, the process is much easier. Simply, inform the agency of your loved one’s death with substantiating documents, and the agency will guide you through the rest of the process.
Overall, if a loved one who financially supported you has died, you may be entitled to Survivor Benefits through Social Security to help you through this challenging time. If you believe you qualify, contact the Social Security Administration as soon as possible. For more information about the various nuisances within the program, review this guide created by the agency.
