We work with our clients after the death of their loved ones and get many questions regarding social security and whether any of the survivors are entitled to continuing benefits. When loved ones pass away, there are lots of considerations, including what happens to their Social Security. The decedent’s payments need to be stopped, but survivor’s benefits may be available to the spouse or, in certain cases, the children.
Social Security benefits stop at death. If a loved one who was receiving Social Security dies, you or the funeral home should notify the Social Security Administration. Benefits are not paid for the month the recipient dies and are not prorated. So, even if the recipient dies in the middle or end of the month, Social Security will not pay any benefits for that month and any benefits that were paid must be returned or will be withdrawn by the Social Security Administration.
Death Benefit
Regardless of age or eligibility for survivor’s benefits, surviving spouses are entitled to a one-time lump-sum payment of $255 if they were living with the decedent or collecting benefits on the decedent’s record. If there is no surviving spouse, the payment can be made to a child who qualifies for benefits on the decedent’s record.
Survivor’s Benefits
In addition to the lump-sum death benefit, certain family members may be eligible to receive monthly survivor’s benefits, including the following:
- A widow or widower age 60 or older (age 50 or older if they have a disability). The benefit may be reduced if the claim is made prior to full retirement age.
- A surviving divorced spouse, under certain circumstances.
- A widow or widower at any age who is caring for the deceased’s child who is under age 16 or has a disability and is receiving child’s benefits.
- An unmarried child of the deceased who is younger than age 18 (or up to age 19 if they are a full-time student in an elementary or secondary school) or age 18 or older with a disability that began before age 22.
- Parents, age 62 or older, who were dependent on the deceased for at least half of their support.
Additionally, if a surviving spouse, including a divorced spouse, remarries before turning age 60, then the spouse is no longer eligible for benefits unless the new marriage ends. Spouses who remarry after age 60 are still eligible for survivor’s benefits.
For more information about Social Security survivor’s benefits, click here.
At Grissom Law we work with families as they probate the estates of their loved ones, from helping answer Social Security questions to preparing and filing probates in Georgia Courts. Call us at 678.781.9230 if you need assistance probating your loved one’s estate.
Disclaimer
This Blog/Web Site is made available for educational purposes only as well as to give you general information and a general understanding of the law, not to provide legal advice. By using this blog site you understand that there is no attorney client relationship between you and Grissom Law, LLC.