Social Security Survivor Benefits
Posted on November 30, 2016 by bob in Social Security
The loss of a family wage earner can be emotionally and financially devastating. However, Social Security survivor benefits, one of the lesser known of our benefit programs, can help secure your family’s financial future if you die. Did you know the value of the survivors benefits you have under Social Security is probably more than the value of your individual life insurance policy? In fact, 98 of every 100 children could get survivor benefits if a working parent dies. Additionally, Social Security pays more benefits to children than any other federal program.
By working and paying Social Security taxes, you’re actually earning credits for survivor benefits. Those credits could provide financial assistance to your surviving spouse, surviving divorced spouse, and unmarried children up to age 19, or at any age if your child became disabled before age 22 and remains disabled. We could also pay benefits to your stepchildren, grandchildren, step-grandchildren, adopted children, and dependent parents. The amount that your survivors receive will depend on your average lifetime earnings.
By creating a secure online my Social Security account, at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount, you can access your Social Security Statement to check your earnings and obtain a survivors benefit estimate. Keep in mind, this service is only offered in English.
In the unfortunate event of a family member’s death, please notify Social Security as soon as possible. In most cases, the funeral director will report the death to Social Security. You’ll need to furnish the funeral director with the deceased’s Social Security number so he or she can make the report. If you need to apply for survivor benefits, call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). You can speak to a Social Security representative between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. You can also contact your local Social Security office. You don’t need an appointment to file for survivor benefits, but if you call ahead and schedule one, it may reduce the time you spend waiting to speak to someone.
Take some time and create a my Social Security account online to review your Statement. The best thing you can do for your family is to prepare as much as possible. Remember that Social Security will be here to help you and your survivors.
For more information and publications about survivor benefits, visit our website at www.socialsecurity.gov or visit our Spanish language websites at www.socialsecurity.gov/espanol.
Kylle’ McKinney, SSA Public Affairs Specialist, can be reached by e-mail at kylle.mckinney@ssa.gov.
