The Importance of Social Security Survivors Benefits
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: November 3, 2023
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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Tags: my Social Security, my Social Security account, retirement benefits, social security, Social Security benefits, Social Security statement, Social Security taxes, survivors benefits
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Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
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Marguerite M.
What procedure must I go through to tell you my husband died? My Husbands name is Clifford Walter Mueller SSA# *** – ** – ***
R.F.
We are sorry for your loss, Marguerite. Typically, the funeral director notifies us of an individual’s passing by sending the deceased person’s death certificate to the local Social Security office.
You cannot report a death or apply for survivors’ benefits online. If you need to report a death, you must contact your local Social Security office or call 1-800-772-1213 ( TTY 1-800-325-0778). Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
To be eligible for a Social Security benefit payment, a person has to live throughout the entire month. If the deceased was receiving Social Security benefits, you must return the benefit received for the month of death or any later months. Keep in mind that Social Security benefits are paid the month after they are due. For example, if the person dies in February, you must return the benefit paid in March. Thank you.
J C.
Why was my friend’s SS benefit check reduced after she withdrew a large amount from her investment account?
R.F.
Unfortunately, and because of security reasons we do not have access to personal records in this blog and cannot answer your question at this time. Also, Social Security records are confidential and we do not disclose information about any individual, unless we have proper authorization or consent.
One of our representatives should be able to provide your friend with an explanation. She can call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Generally, there will be a shorter wait time if she calls later during the day or later in the week. Thanks.
B. R.
Survivors benefits for Child support Obligor who has saddly died does NOT pay child whose custodial parent is disabled and on ssdi w/ child auxiliary benefit. Which has never been connected to her father in any fashion for we lived apart and never married. It is morally GROSS to deprive a minor DEPENDENT her natural fathers survivors for childs continued care. ESPECIALLY when there was a current child support ordered by the court. The mother being disabled and has a remuneration of her financial means should have no impact. Had I the DISABLED SINGLE CUSTODIAL PARENT DIED CHILD WOULD HAVE GAINED A 25% INCREASE IN FINANCIAL MEANS. BUT BECAUSE IT WAS THE CHILD SUPPORT OBLIGOR CHILD HAS LOST 100% OF HIS SUPPORT ALONG WITH HIS PHYSICAL. HE WAS SUPPORTING HIS CHILD AND SHE DEPENDED UPON HIM. NOW the child is harmed of opportunities for I simply can no longer afford. How cruel and unfair. He the obligor has no other heirs and he too paid into this trust fund for security! To me this is a legalized way to deceive people. One law says it is each separate parents duty and responsibility to provide financial support for their child in common. SSA worker said had the decedent applied and been approved benefits prior to his death they would have been able to garnish his benefit. Well I think thats awful and discriminating for he was actively working and paying into the trust fund. So they SHOULD EITHER GARNISH HIS RETIREMENT OR JUST PAY THE CHILD SURVIVORS.
Martha R.
How can I view my deceased spouse’s statement of benefits. I am going to file for Survivors Benefits this coming July and would like to see an estimated benefit to expect? I have looked for and cannot find his SSN. The SSA office has given me an estimate that sounds very low and I want to see the calculations.
R.F.
Please continue working with your local office. You can ask that we review your record and provide a thorough explanation as to how we come up with your estimated survivor’s benefit amount.
If you are unable to visit the local office, you can call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213, representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Generally, you will have a shorter wait time if you call later during the day or later in the week. Thanks.
Susan L.
My husband passed recently and I cannot get anyone to answer, been on hold for 45 minutes and I need a fax Number where the cremation company can send his death certificate to you, and I need to know how much money I will receive a month. Tried calling again and the wait is 1 hour, can you help please??? Susan Dohner 951-658-0785. Thanks & God Bless !
R.F.
We are sorry for your loss, Susan. You cannot report a death or apply for survivors’ benefits online.
In most cases, the funeral home will report the person’s death to Social Security. If at the time of death, you were receiving spousal benefit under your husband’s record, your benefit will automatically be converted to a survivors benefits once we receive the report of his death. If you are the widow of a person who worked long enough under Social Security, you can start receiving benefits at age 60 (age 50 if disabled).
You can also contact your local Social Security office. An appointment is not required, but if you call ahead and schedule one, it may reduce the time you spend waiting to speak to someone. Generally, when calling our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213, you will experience a shorter wait time, if you call later during the day or later in the week.
Please visit our Benefits Planner: Survivors for more important information. Thanks.
paul p.
when i die will my wife be eligible for my full social security benefits if she collects the spousal part of my social security now?
R.F.
Thank you for your question, Paul. As you may already know, your wife’s survivors benefit amount will be based on your benefit amount. If you’re receiving reduced benefits, we base her survivors benefit on that amount. It also depends on her age, when she starts collecting widow’s benefits. If she’s already receiving benefits as a spouse, on your record, her benefit will automatically convert to survivors benefits after we receive the report of death.
See section: “Survivors Benefit Amount” of our Benefits Planner: Survivors for more information.
Eva S.
I need to know why when my husband passed away, social security sent the death widdow benefit to my husband’s first wife.? Plus 2 other checks .he passed away 5-12-2007 , and I haven’t received any thing.!
R.F.
Unfortunately, and because of security reasons we do not have access to personal records in this blog and cannot answer your question at this time.
Usually, the funeral director will report a person’s death to Social Security. You cannot report a death or apply for Survivors Benefits online.
If you were already receiving benefits as a spouse, under your husband’s record, your benefit should automatically convert to widow’s benefits. Keep in mind that if a person already receives retirement benefits on his or her own record, they can only receive a higher benefit as a widow or widower if the retirement benefit they receive is less than the benefits they would receive as a survivor. Also, benefits paid to a surviving divorced spouse, won’t affect the benefit rates for other survivors getting benefits on the worker’s record. See “how you may qualify as a survivor on someone else’s Social Security record” for more information.
To see if you qualify for a higher benefit amount, or to make an appointment to apply for survivor’s benefits, you need to speak with a Social Security representative.
Please call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Generally, you will have a shorter wait time if you call later during the day. We hope this information helps.
Attorney F.
It’s quite hard to suffer from lost of someone beloved and American govt has started to help such kind of people financially so they get totally broken.
Thank you for making things valid and more information in manner of explanation.
Jim
If my grand kids are receiving social security survivors benefits, is any of that money allowed to be into a 401 program for their future education? Thank you.
Tracy a.
My husband was murdered In our home at age of 56 I am 55 and suffer from depression and I am bipolar he was the only one that worked I do not know what to do I do not know if I can work it’s been years since I held a job
J.Y.
We are very sorry for your loss. Disability benefits are paid to people who are unable to work because of a medical condition that is expected to last one year or more or to result in death. Social Security pays only for total disability. No benefits are payable for partial disability or short-term disability. You may find our listing of impairments useful.
If you think you are disabled, you can file for disability. To apply online for disability benefits, go to http://ssa.gov/pgm/disability.htm. You will still need to complete your Supplemental Security Information (SSI) application at your local office. Once you’ve completed the online disability application, please call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday to have one of our representatives schedule an appointment for you with your local office to complete your SSI application.