Social Security Death & Survivor Benefits

Are you a survivor of someone who was receiving Social Security benefits?



If so, you or another family member may qualify for a lump-sum death payment benefit and monthly survivor benefits. As the survivor, if you are the spouse, divorced spouse, child or parent of someone who was receiving benefits from the Social Security Administration, you may be qualified to receive certain benefits.

Understanding Survivor Benefits

When a Social Security-covered worker dies, the Social Security Administration provides two types of financial support: a one-time lump-sum death payment and ongoing monthly survivor benefits. These benefits offer crucial financial assistance to families during difficult times.

The Lump-Sum Death Payment

The Social Security Administration provides a one-time payment of $255 to eligible survivors. This modest amount is intended to help with immediate expenses but does not cover the full cost of funeral services, which typically cost thousands of dollars.

Who Qualifies: A surviving spouse who lived with the deceased receives priority. If no qualifying spouse exists, an eligible child can receive the payment. You must apply within two years of the death date or forfeit the benefit.

Monthly Survivor Benefits

Monthly survivor benefits provide ongoing financial support and are significantly more valuable than the one-time death payment.

Surviving Spouses can receive benefits starting at age 60 (or age 50 if disabled), or at any age if caring for the deceased's child under age 16 or with a disability. Benefits range from 71.5% to 100% of the deceased worker's benefit, depending on the age when benefits begin. Full retirement age for survivors is between 66-67.

Divorced Spouses may qualify if married for at least 10 years, age 60 or older (50-59 if disabled), and haven't remarried before age 60. Benefits paid to divorced spouses don't reduce other survivors' benefits.

Children qualify if unmarried and under age 18, age 18-19 while in school full-time, or age 18 or older with a disability that began before age 22. Children typically receive 75% of the deceased parent's benefit.

Dependent Parents who received at least half their support from the deceased worker may qualify for benefits at age 62 or older, receiving approximately $1,600 monthly on average.

Eligibility Requirements

The deceased worker must have earned sufficient Social Security work credits. In 2025, workers earn one credit for every $1,810 earned, with a maximum of four credits per year. Generally, no one needs more than 40 credits (10 years of work) for survivor benefits. A special rule allows benefits if the worker earned just 6 credits in the three years before death.

How to Apply

Cannot Apply Online: You must call 1-800-772-1213 or visit a local Social Security office to apply for survivor benefits.

Apply Promptly: Benefits are paid from the application date, not the death date. Delays result in permanently lost benefits.

Required Documents: Social Security numbers for the deceased and applicant, death certificate, birth certificate, marriage certificate (if applicable), divorce papers (if applicable), and bank account information for direct deposit.

Automatic Reporting: Funeral homes typically report deaths to Social Security automatically, so families usually don't need to report the death separately.

Important Considerations

Working While Receiving Benefits: Survivors under full retirement age who work may have benefits temporarily reduced if earnings exceed annual limits. No earnings limit applies after reaching full retirement age.

Remarriage: Remarrying before age 60 (or 50 if disabled) generally ends survivor benefit eligibility. Remarriage after these ages doesn't affect benefits.

Benefit Switching: If eligible for both survivor benefits and your own retirement benefits, you receive the higher amount. You can switch between benefits to maximize lifetime payments.

Family Maximum: Total family benefits are capped at 150-180% of the deceased worker's benefit amount.

Getting Help

Contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Visit www.ssa.gov/survivor for more information on survivor benefits.

Create a my Social Security account at www.ssa.gov/myaccount to access personalized benefit estimates.

Visit www.socialsecurityalerts.news to stay updated on the latest changes on rules, laws and other news impacting your social security death and survivor benefits.

Visit www.ssa.gov/ssi/spotlights/spot-burial-funds.htm for more information on Burial Funds.

Visit www.usa.gov/social-security-report-a-death to report a beneficiary’s death.

Social Security survivor benefits provide essential financial protection worth potentially more than individual life insurance policies. Understanding these benefits and applying promptly ensures families receive all entitled support during their time of need.