Survivors

The Importance of Social Security Survivors Benefits

May 31, 2017 • By

Reading Time: 2 Minutes

Last Updated: November 3, 2023

elderly woman drinking coffee Most people don’t like to think about death. We plan for life, for that day when we retire, for the places we’ll go and the things that we’ll do then. Unfortunately, death is a part of life we must prepare for. The death of a worker is devastating for the entire family, not only emotionally, but also financially.  

Social Security is here to help you secure today and tomorrow with financial benefits, tools, and information to help support you throughout life’s journey. Part of that promise is protection for your family when a worker dies. Some of the Social Security taxes you pay go toward survivors benefits for your family. When an income earner dies, certain members of the family may be eligible for survivors benefits, such as widows and widowers, including divorced widows and widowers; children; and dependent parents. The amount of benefits your family receives depends on your lifetime earnings. The higher your earnings are, the higher the benefits will be. The value of your survivors benefit is probably more than the value of your individual life insurance.

You can check your Social Security Statement to see an estimate of survivors benefits we could pay your family. It also shows an estimate of your retirement and disability benefits, and provides other important information. To review your Social Security Statement online, create a personal my Social Security  account. Your my Social Security  account is secure and gives you immediate access to your earnings records, Social Security benefit estimates, and a printable Statement.

When a worker dies, we recommend that their survivors apply for benefits right away. You can apply by telephone or at any Social Security office. For more information about survivors benefits, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/survivors. If you think you qualify, please don’t wait. Apply today.

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About the Author

Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

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Comments

  1. Greta k.

    My father in law passed on 04/09/2019. Is he intitled. To receive a check in April? Are checks issued in April for the month march

    • A.C.

      Hi, Greta. We are sorry to hear about your loss. This may not be the news you were hoping to hear, but we wanted you to hear it straight from us. To be eligible for Social Security benefits, a person has to live throughout the entire month to receive his or her check. Therefore, when a person passes away, Social Security benefits are not payable for the month in which a beneficiary dies. This applies whether the person dies on the first or the last day of the month. And, if no spouse or child meeting the eligibility requirements exists, survivor benefits are not payable. If you are interested in learning more about survivor’s benefits, please visit our Survivors Benefits web page. We hope this helps!

  2. Marilyn V.

    How do I report the death of earner?

    • A.C.

      Hi, Marilyn. We are sorry to hear about your loss. Typically, funeral homes report deaths to the Social Security Administration directly. You can check with the funeral home to determine if reporting has been done. We hope this helps.

  3. Pamela F.

    Thank you for all the information ….

  4. Karen

    After being married for 10 years my ex died and I am 58 years old, can I get his social security?

  5. Mark D.

    It is very unclear if a surviving spouse can keep her Social Security benefits she is receiving plus receive her husbands Social Security he was getting when he died. Can you clarify this.
    Thank you,
    Mark

  6. Jennie M.

    i cannot locate the form to fill in to claim burial for my husband.

    • L.A.

      We are sorry to hear of your loss, Jenny. Unfortunately, you cannot file a claim for survivors benefits online. If you need to apply for benefits, please call our toll-free number 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) to talk to a Social Security representative between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. You can also contact your local Social Security office. For more information, please visit our Benefits Planner: Survivors | How To Apply web page. We hope this helps.

  7. Marlene M.

    I am having trouble getting my spousal survival check for $255.00.

    My husband (James [Jimmy] Anderson SSN *** – ** – ***) passed away on October 6, 2018 and I have not received that money yet. About six weeks ago I went to our local SS Office to inquire about it and the representative checked on it and said it was prepared for sending but that they did not have the routing number of my checking account so I gave him the information and he said it should come to my bank shortly. It never came.

    Can you send it to me at my new address:

    Marlene M Anderson
    8935 South Wood Creek Drive Apt. 302
    Oak Creek, WI 53154.

    Ph#: 414-962-4459
    Email:

    My SS# *** – ** – ***

    • A.C.

      Hi, Marlene. We are sorry to hear about your loss and your situation. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. Generally, you will have a shorter wait if you call later in the day. You can also contact your local Social Security office. You can ask to speak to a manager on your next visit or call. Just a reminder – please be cautious about posting personal information on social media. We hope this is resolved soon.

  8. Katherine B.

    I was told I could make an appointment online to see a representative at the SS office located at 203 Euclid Ave,
    Kansas City Mo but can’t seem to find the correct site for that. Would like the directions to do that to be more obvious and specific. Thanks

  9. Carly

    My ex and I were married 10+ yrs. During that time he became disabled and was receving SSDI. We divorced at age 52. I myself became disabled at 58. I remarried at age 59. My ex just died at age 65 while receiving SSDI. I have been given so much different information from the Soc Sec offices. I have reviewed the Survivors Benefits info and it is still not clear so please dont ask me to review that.
    Since I remarried after the age of 50 and am disabled, the question is can I claim ANY type of benefit? I am now 64. The statement on the Soc Sec info says I can claim survivors benefits because I am disabled and did not marry untill after the age of 50. So does that mean divorced spouse survivors benefits OR disabled divorced spouse survivor benefits? The rule for not remarrying until after 50 is under the Surviving Ex Spouse AND also under Disabled Surviving Ex Spouse. Shouldnt I be able to claim either since I didnt marry until after 50. I realize the reduction in percentage if I dont wait until my full retirement age.
    And how does the process work should I decide to claim Disabled Surviving Divorced Spouse? I dont want to want a long time on SS determining my disability.Some offices have told me I cant apply for either one. Help would be so appreciated.

  10. gail L.

    I have not received my one time payment of $255.00 as a widow.

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