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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Pableo G.
if a member dies, who is the number one beneficiary, the children of the first marriage or the present spouse of the deceased?
Nancy M.
I can’t get my fathers cause someone worked under my skin number but not my name I have proof
Mary
How will I know how much my deceased husband amount of social security I will get? I am 56 now, but understand I can’t claim until I am 62. Please reply
R.F.
Hello Mary. If you are the widow or widower of a person who worked long enough under Social Security, you can start receiving reduced survivors benefits as early as age 60 (age 50 if disabled).
Your survivors benefit amount is based on the earnings of the person who died. Read more here!
Theresa D.
If I get married again will I lose my survivors benefits
R.F.
Hello Theresa. Generally, benefits for a widow or divorced widow will end if they remarry before age 60 (age 50 if disabled). See “If I get married, will it affect my benefits” for more information.
Thanks!
anthony s.
My brother passed away and I am the personal representative. I will be filling his 2018 income tax and need his statement of benefits paid. What can be done to get a 1099 now?
R.F.
We’re sorry to hear about the loss of your brother, Anthony. In certain cases, we may disclose SSA-1099 information from the record of a deceased person, only to a survivor of the deceased and only if we are able to establish the relationship of the survivor to the deceased based on SSA records.
You will need to go into the local Social Security office with proper identification and supporting documents to make a request for a replacement SSA-1099. Thanks!
Sherry B.
I just learned of a fraud with my bank account. I have to close my old account. When I went to my profile and field out the info with my new account. It won’t let me CHANGE it for 2 months .I need to close my old account immediately. Not months from now. Every time I call the 800 number or days no one is available to talk to me, and it hangs up.
R.F.
We’re sorry that you had difficulty reaching someone by phone, Sherry. We may have been experiencing higher than normal call volume.
If you’re not able to make changes to your direct deposit online, please call us back and speak to one of our agents. 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. We answer calls in 29 Tele-Service Centers located nation-wide. The National 800 Number Network provides agent service five days a week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the caller’s time zone. 24-hour automated services are available 365 per days a year. Or you can contact your local Social Security office directly. Thanks.
Me
I believe that the social security office does not help provide families with the most try can. This office are theives and should be held acountable. They have u waiting all the time.
Kidd
Can unemployment benefits reduce Social Security disability benefits
R.F.
Hello Kidd. Generally, unemployment benefits do not affect Social Security benefits. However, you will have to check with your local unemployment office, to see how your Social Security disability benefits may affect unemployment benefits. Each state operates its own unemployment insurance program.
We hope this information helps!
Loasta
Sadly the father of my children was murdered. He was supposed to pay child support for all these years. But he didn’t a reason why.was because he was incarcerate. He had so much money in dept for not paying so it built up. Is there a posibility my children can recieve back pay child support?
R.F.
Thank you for your question, Loasta. We can withhold Social Security benefits to enforce a beneficiary’s legal obligation to pay child support. However, State laws determine a valid garnishment order. By law, we garnish current and continuing monthly benefits. We do not make retroactive adjustments.
Please visit our Survivors Planner to learn more on survivors benefits for minor or disabled children.
Patricia H.
Both me and my husband receive Social Security Checks each month. Mine is based on spouse . He is aged 70 and I am 66 years old. If he were to die before me, would I still receive my social security check as well as his full social security check each month or would I just receive a part of just his check?
V.V.
Hi Patricia. If you already receive benefits as a spouse, under your husband’s record, your benefit will automatically convert to widow’s benefits after we receive the report of death. See our Frequently Asked Questions web page for more.