Social Security: Who can receive survivor benefits and what they are

Until December 2023, about 3.8 million Widows and widowers, including some divorced late beneficiaries, received Social Security survivor benefitswhich are paid to spouses and dependents of workers who are eligible to receive them and are particularly important for young families with children.

When a spouse dies it is very important to contact the Social Security Administration because this way you guarantee that you are provided with information about the survivor benefits you may be entitled to. Here we share a general overview of Who can receive Social Security survivor benefits and what they are.

Certain family members of the deceased beneficiary may be eligible to receive monthly benefits, including:

• Surviving spouse age 60 or older (50 or older has a disability).
• Spouse comes of any age and cares for the deceased’s child who is under 16 years of age or who has a disability and is receiving Social Security benefits.
• Unmarried child of the deceased who is under the age of 18 (or up to 19 if they are a full-time student in an elementary or secondary school).
• Unmarried child of the deceased age 18 or older with a disability that began before age 22.
• A stepchild, grandchild, or adopted child in certain circumstances.
• Parents age 62 or older who depended on the deceased person for at least half of their support.
• Surviving divorced spouse, under certain circumstances.
• Lump-sum death payment, or LSDP, to the surviving spouse.

How much money is received from the Social Security lump sum death payment (LSDP)?

The global payment for death is $225 dollars for the spouse who meets any of the following conditions:

• He lived with the deceased.
• They lived separately from the deceased and are eligible to receive certain Social Security benefits listed on the deceased’s record.

If there is no surviving spouse, the lump-sum Social Security death payment can be given to a child that meets the requirements that appear in the deceased’s record; During the month of death you can receive this payment. To find out what the requirements and papers you must submit are, you can find more information here.

How much money can you receive from the Social Security survivor benefit?

The SSA survivor benefit is usually calculated based on the benefits the deceased spouse was receiving at the time of death. or to which you were entitled based on your age and income record if you had not yet applied for benefits. The actual amount of your payments may vary depending on the following:

• If you have reached full retirement age, you receive 100% of the benefits your spouse receives or is supposed to receive.
• If you file for survivor benefits between age 60 and your full retirement age, you will receive between 71.5% and 99% of the deceased spouse’s benefits. This percentage increases the older you are when you apply.
• If you claim as a disabled spouse when you are between 50 and 59 years old, the supervening benefit is 71.5% of your deceased spouse’s benefit.
• If you request it based on the care of a child under 16 or disabled, you can collect 75% of the deceased spouse’s benefits, regardless of your age.

Remember that it is important to give the deceased’s Social Security number to the funeral director, as they usually inform the SSA of the person’s death and that it is vital to contact the Social Security Administration as soon as possible to ensure that your family receives all the benefits to which you are entitled.

Keep reading:
– Social Security: How to increase your retirement benefits by $150
– Social Security: 5 mistakes that retirees should avoid in 2024
– Social Security: 3 disadvantages of waiting until age 70 to retire