Death Benefits
Can I Receive Survivor Benefits on My Deceased Child’s Record?
A parent is entitled to survivor benefits on the record of a deceased child if the child was fully insured at the time of death and the parent: Is age 62 or older; Not entitled to benefits on his or her own record that are equal to or greater than the amount of the survivor’s [...]
If a Person Dies before Payment Is Made Can Payment Be Collected by the Estate?
An underpayment of benefits due on behalf of a deceased beneficiary is payable to the next of kin or to the legal representative of the estate under the following order of priority established by law: A spouse who was living with the beneficiary when he or she died or a spouse entitled on the same [...]
How Much Will a Widow or Widower Receive?
Widow(er)’s benefits are paid based on percentages of the deceased worker’s basic benefit amount. These percentages vary depending on the widow(er)’s age at the time of retirement. Here are the most typical situations: A widow or widower, at full retirement age or older, generally receives 100 percent of the worker’s basic benefit amount; A widow [...]
Am I Entitled to Widow’s or Widower’s Benefits If I Remarry?
Generally, you cannot get widow’s or widower’s benefits if you remarry before age 60. But remarriage after age 60 (or age 50 if you are disabled) will not prevent you from getting benefit payments based on your former spouse’s work record. And at age 62 or older, you may get benefits based on your new [...]
What Is the Effect of Marriage on Survivors Benefits?
“My two children and I have been receiving survivors benefits since my wife died. Will these benefits continue if I remarry?” Your remarriage would have no effect on the benefits being paid to your children. If you get benefits only because you are caring for your children, your benefits would end at the time of [...]
What about Benefits Received After the Date of Death?
“My mother, a widow, died in late April. Social Security tells me that I must return her April benefit (paid in May) even though she was alive most of the month. Why is this?” Social Security benefits are not pro-rated. To be entitled to a Social Security benefit check for a given month, the person [...]
Does Social Security Recognize Common Law Marriage for the Purpose of Paying Survivors and Spouse’s Benefits?
Social Security follows the laws of the state where the worker was residing at the time of death or the place where the worker is residing when the spouse applies for benefits. In order for a common law marriage to be valid, it must have been contracted in a state where common-law marriages are recognized. [...]