Death Benefits
Social Security Death Benefits
The loss of a family member can be devastating, both emotionally and financially. Social Security is meant to be a survivor program as well as a retirement program. In this article we will discuss the one-time lump sum death benefit, monthly survivor benefits, who qualifies for survivor benefits, and how to apply for benefits when a family member dies.
One-Time Death Benefit:
You may receive a one time payment of $255 when a family member dies, depending on your relationship to them and how long they have worked. Generally, only surviving spouses and children of deceased workers qualify for the one-time death benefit. In addition, the deceased family member must have worked long enough to be insured under Social Security, but it doesn’t matter if they were already collecting Social Security or not.
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My ex-husband passed away recently. We were married for just over 10 years. I was told that I could receive social security if married for 10 years or more and if he never remarried. He never remarried and neither did I. Is this true? If so what do I need to do to receive this type of social security?
If a woman who has worked approximately 25 years suddenly dies, her husband is not working and can not find a job, also a daughter who is 21 years old has never worked and still lived in the household: are they entitled to draw her social security?
Laura – thank you for your question. You are partially correct. Divorced spouses can collect Social Security based on their ex-spouse’s earnings if they were married for 10 years or more, and if YOU have not remarried. It does not matter if your ex-husband was remarried or not. In addition, you must be at least age 62 to apply for benefits.
Keep in mind that you will receive the higher of your own benefits or half of the benefits based on your ex-husband’s earnings, not both. Also your benefits will be reduced if you apply at age 62 instead of waiting until you reach full retirement age.
You can apply for benefits online, by visiting your local Social Security office, or by calling 1-800-772-1213.
Dottie – whether they qualify for benefits will depend on the husband’s age and other circumstances. In order to qualify for survivor benefits, the husband must be age 60, or age 50 if disabled. Or, he must be caring for a child (under the age of 16) of the deceased wife’s. The 21-year old daughter will only qualify for survivor benefits if she is disabled since she is over age 18, and even if she is disabled her benefits will end once she reaches age 22. The fact that the husband and daughter are not working does not qualify them for survivor benefits, unless they are disabled and meet the age requirements. Unfortunately, this situation is becoming more common in this economy due to the high unemployment rate.