Social Security Survivors Benefits

Understanding Survivors Benefits

When a family member who worked and paid into Social Security passes away, the people who depended on them may be eligible to receive monthly survivors benefits. These benefits can provide important financial support during one of the most difficult times in your life.

Social Security survivors benefits are separate from any pension, life insurance, or other benefits your loved one may have had. The amount you receive depends on the deceased's lifetime earnings — the more they paid into Social Security, the higher the benefit.

Act promptly. Benefits are not paid retroactively in most cases, and some benefits may be lost if you wait too long to apply. Contact the Social Security Administration as soon as possible after a death.

Call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. You can also visit your local Social Security office.

Who May Receive Benefits

To qualify, the deceased worker must have earned enough Social Security credits — generally between 1 and 10 years of work, depending on their age at death. The following family members may be eligible for monthly benefits:

Surviving Spouse

Age 60 or older (50 if disabled). At any age if caring for the deceased's child who is under 16 or disabled.

Divorced Surviving Spouse

Age 60 or older if the marriage lasted at least 10 years, or at any age if caring for an entitled child under 16 or disabled.

Unmarried Children

Up to age 18, or 19 if in school full time. Children disabled before age 22 may qualify at any age.

Stepchildren & Grandchildren

Under certain conditions, stepchildren, grandchildren, or step-grandchildren may also be eligible.

Dependent Parents

Age 62 or older who were dependent on the deceased for at least half of their support.

Lump-Sum Payment

A one-time payment of $255 to a surviving spouse who lived with the deceased, or to eligible children if no qualifying spouse exists.

You worked hard to provide for your family. Social Security survivors benefits exist to help protect them — and to help them when they need it most.

Social Security offers several types of survivors benefits. The benefit amount is calculated as a percentage of the deceased worker's basic Social Security benefit:

  • Widow or widower at full retirement age or older — 100% of the benefit
  • Widow or widower, age 60 to full retirement age — 71½% to 99%
  • Disabled widow or widower, age 50–59 — 71½%
  • Widow or widower caring for a child under 16 — 75%
  • Each eligible child — 75%
  • Each dependent parent (one survivor) — 82½%
  • Each dependent parent (both parents survive) — 75% each

Maximum Family Benefit

There is a limit to the total amount a family can receive. The maximum is generally between 150% and 180% of the deceased's basic benefit. If the total exceeds this limit, each family member's benefit is reduced proportionately.

Lump-Sum Death Payment

A one-time payment of $255 is paid to a surviving spouse who lived with the deceased at the time of death, or to eligible children if there is no qualifying spouse. This payment is in addition to any monthly benefits.

Medicare

Surviving spouses may become eligible for Medicare at age 65 based on the deceased spouse's work record, even if they have not worked themselves. Disabled widows and widowers may qualify at age 50.

If you are caring for the deceased's children and receiving survivors benefits, those benefits continue until the youngest child turns 16 — even if you yourself would not otherwise qualify by age.

You cannot report a death or apply for survivors benefits online. You must contact the SSA by phone or in person:

  • Call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Visit your local Social Security office. An appointment is not required but is recommended to reduce wait time.

Documents You May Need

Gather as many of these as possible before you apply. Do not delay applying because you are missing some — the SSA can help you obtain them:

  • Proof of death (death certificate or funeral home notice)
  • Your Social Security number and the deceased's Social Security number
  • Your birth certificate
  • Your marriage certificate (if applying as a widow or widower)
  • Divorce papers (if applying as a divorced surviving spouse)
  • Dependent children's birth certificates
  • The deceased's W-2 or federal self-employment tax return for the most recent year
  • Your bank account information for direct deposit
  • Military discharge papers (DD-214) if the deceased was a veteran

Application Forms by Benefit Type

  • SSA-10 — Widow's, Widower's, or Surviving Divorced Spouse's Benefits
  • SSA-4 — Child's Benefits
  • SSA-5 — Mother's or Father's Benefits (requires child under 16 or disabled in your care)
  • SSA-8 — Lump-Sum Death Payment
  • SSA-7 — Parent's Benefits (requires financial dependence on the deceased)

At Grimes Funeral Chapels, we are happy to assist with notifying the Social Security Administration of a death. Ask your funeral director about this when making arrangements.

Here are answers to the most common questions families ask about Social Security survivors benefits.

As soon as possible. Benefits are generally not paid retroactively, so delaying your application could result in lost payments. The funeral home typically notifies the SSA of the death, but you still need to contact them separately to apply for survivors benefits.
Social Security pays one month behind — a check received in August covers July. If your loved one passed in August, the August check (for July) may be kept, but any check for the month of death or later must be returned. If the payment was by direct deposit, notify the bank and they will return it to the SSA.
Yes, but if you are under full retirement age, your benefits may be reduced if you earn above a certain threshold. Once you reach full retirement age, there is no earnings limit. The earnings limit changes each year — contact the SSA for current figures.
Remarrying before age 60 (50 if disabled) generally stops survivors benefits. Remarrying at 60 or older allows you to continue receiving them. If the later marriage ends, you may be entitled to benefits on either spouse's record — whichever is higher.
Yes. Children can qualify independently of the surviving parent. Each qualifying child receives up to 75% of the deceased parent's basic benefit, subject to the family maximum. This applies to biological children, adopted children, and in some cases stepchildren and grandchildren.
The only direct funeral-related payment from Social Security is the Lump-Sum Death Payment of $255 — a token amount that has not changed since 1954 and is not intended to cover funeral costs. For help with funeral expenses, speak with your funeral director and ask about any veterans benefits that may apply.
Self-employed workers pay Social Security taxes on their federal returns. As long as they paid these taxes and earned sufficient credits, their survivors are eligible for the same benefits as any other worker. Have their federal self-employment tax returns ready when applying.

Navigating government benefits after a loss is never easy. Our staff at Grimes Funeral Chapels is always happy to help point you in the right direction — just ask.