Who receives Social Security death benefits

When a worker covered by Social Security dies, certain family members may receive a one-time payment and ongoing monthly benefits based on that worker's earnings record. The surviving spouse, children, and parents are the groups most commonly may have access to to these benefits, but the specific rules depend on age, marital status, and whether you were dependent on the worker's income.

The Social Security Administration does not automatically send these benefits. A family member must contact Social Security to report the death and provide documents showing the relationship. The process typically takes a few weeks, and the amount each person receives depends on the worker's lifetime earnings and how many family members are also receiving benefits.

Key Takeaways

  • A widow or widower can receive benefits at age 60, or at any age if caring for a child under 16 who is also receiving benefits.
  • Unmarried children under 19 (or up to 23 if a full-time student) may receive benefits based on a parent's earnings record.
  • A one-time death payment of $255 goes to the surviving spouse or, if none exists, to a child who was living with the worker.
  • You must contact Social Security with a death certificate and proof of relationship within a reasonable time after the death to begin receiving benefits.
  • Remarriage before age 60 ends a widow's or widower's benefits, though remarriage at 60 or later does not affect them.

Surviving spouses and their benefits

A widow or widower can receive monthly benefits starting at age 60, or at any age if they are caring for the worker's child who is under 16 and also receiving benefits. The monthly amount is typically 75 percent of what the worker was receiving at the time of death.

If you remarry before age 60, your benefits stop. However, if you remarry at 60 or later, your benefits continue. A divorced spouse can also receive benefits on the worker's record if the marriage lasted at least 10 years, you are at least 60 years old, and you are not currently married—unless you remarried at 60 or later.

A surviving spouse who is caring for a child under 16 can receive benefits at any age, even in their 30s or 40s. This benefit ends when the youngest child turns 16, though the spouse may later become may have access to again at age 60.

Children and grandchildren who may receive benefits

Unmarried children under age 19 can receive benefits based on a parent's Social Security record. If a child is a full-time high school or elementary school student, benefits continue until age 19. Children who are not in school stop receiving benefits at 18.

A child who became disabled before age 22 may continue to receive benefits for life, as long as the disability continues. The monthly amount for each child is typically 75 percent of the worker's benefit amount, though the total paid to all family members cannot exceed a certain percentage of the worker's earnings record.

Grandchildren may receive benefits if they meet specific conditions: they must have been living with the worker, receiving at least half their support from the worker, and the worker must have been legally responsible for their support. A grandchild must also be unmarried and under 19 (or 23 if a full-time student).

Parents who were dependent on the worker

A parent age 62 or older may receive benefits if the worker was providing at least half of the parent's support at the time of death. Both parents can receive benefits if both meet the age and support requirements.

The monthly amount for each parent is typically 75 percent of the worker's benefit. If only one parent receives benefits, the amount is higher. Parents' benefits are less common than spouse and child benefits, and they are often the last family members to be considered when the total family benefit is calculated.

The one-time death payment

Social Security pays a one-time lump sum of $255 to help cover funeral costs. This payment goes to the surviving spouse if they were living with the worker at the time of death. If no spouse was living with the worker, the payment goes to a child who was living with the worker and is may have access to to benefits.

If no family member meets these conditions, the payment is not made. The $255 amount has not changed since 1954 and does not vary by state or by the worker's earnings. You do not need to request this payment separately—it is included when you report the death to Social Security.

How to report a death and start the process

Contact Social Security as soon as possible after the death. You can call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or visit your local Social Security office in person. Have the worker's Social Security number and a death certificate ready.

You will need to provide proof of your relationship to the worker—a birth certificate for a child, a marriage certificate for a spouse, or adoption papers for an adopted child. If you are a grandchild or parent, you may need additional documents showing that you met the support or living-arrangement requirements.

Social Security will review your documents and tell you whether you are may have access to to benefits. The process usually takes two to four weeks. Benefits are typically paid monthly by direct deposit, check, or a debit card called a Direct Express card.

How much each family member receives

The amount each person receives depends on the worker's lifetime earnings and the number of family members also receiving benefits. Social Security calculates a family maximum—the total amount that can be paid to all family members combined, usually between 150 and 180 percent of what the worker was receiving.

If the total benefits to all family members would exceed this maximum, each person's benefit is reduced proportionally. For example, if a widow, two children, and a parent are all may have access to, their individual amounts may be smaller than they would be if fewer family members were receiving benefits.

You can contact Social Security to ask what the estimated monthly benefit would be for each family member. This estimate helps you understand what to expect once benefits begin.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a divorced spouse receive benefits if the worker remarried?

Yes. A divorced spouse can receive benefits on the worker's record even if the worker remarried, as long as the marriage lasted at least 10 years and the divorced spouse is at least 60 years old and not currently married (or remarried at 60 or later). The divorced spouse's benefits do not reduce the amount paid to the current spouse.

What happens to benefits if a child turns 19 or graduates high school?

Benefits stop at age 19 unless the child is a full-time high school or elementary school student, in which case they continue until age 19. If the child is disabled, benefits may continue beyond age 19 as long as the disability began before age 22 and continues. A child who is a full-time college student does not receive benefits.

Do I need to report the worker's death to other government agencies, or just Social Security?

You should report the death to Social Security, but also to Medicare (if the worker was receiving it), the Veterans Administration (if the worker was a veteran), and any employer pension programs. Each agency has its own process and timeline. A funeral home can sometimes help with some of these notifications.

Can a stepchild receive benefits?

Yes, if the stepchild was legally adopted by the worker or was living with the worker and the worker was legally responsible for their support. An unmarried stepchild under 19 (or 23 if a full-time student) may receive benefits if these conditions are met.

What if the worker did not have a Social Security number?

If the worker never had a Social Security number or was not covered by Social Security, family members are not may have access to to death benefits. Self-employed workers and most government employees are covered, but some older government workers may not be. You can contact Social Security to confirm whether the worker's record exists.