Social Security Benefits: A Helpful Discussion On Terms & Conditions To Get The Benefit & How To Get After A Family Member's Death
The loss of a family member could be devastating, both emotionally and financially. Social Security is meant to be a survivor program as well as a retirement program. Most of the people are conscious of Social Security retirement benefits, and some may even be aware that Social Security has disability benefits, but are you conscious that there are Social Security death benefits too? In this article we will discuss the one-time lump sum death benefit, monthly survivor benefits, who qualifies for survivor benefits, and ways to apply for benefits when a family member dies.
One-Time Death Benefit:
You may receive a one-time payment of $255 when a family member dies, depending on your relationship to them and how long they've worked. Usually, only surviving spouses and kids of deceased workers qualify for the one-time death benefit. Moreover, the deceased family member should have worked long enough to be insured under Social Security, but it doesn't matter if they were already collecting Social Security or not.
The Death benefit payment is made to the surviving spouse living with the dead person at the time he/she passed, or if there is no surviving spouse, the payment is made to a child of the deceased person. Spouses who're not living together when one spouse dies might still receive the death benefit if they were eligible for benefits on the dead spouse's earnings in the month the spouse passed. If there's no surviving spouse or child who qualifies for the payment, therefore no payment will be made.
This is a one-time, lump sum benefit; but some survivors may qualify for a monthly benefit in addition to the one-time death benefit.
Monthly Survivor Benefits:
Besides the one-time payment, some family members may receive a per month benefit for a dead person. Widows, widowers, kids and dependent parents may qualify for monthly survivor benefits. In some cases, even divorced widows and widowers could qualify to receive benefits when their ex-spouse dies. The monthly survivor benefit is also known as "survivors insurance" as it's much like a life insurance plan.
To be eligible for Social Security survivor benefits, the dead worker should have worked and earned credits towards Social Security benefits. The number of years required to work depends on the age of the deceased family member.
The following family members could qualify for survivor benefits:
- a widow or widower, beginning at age 50 if disabled or 60 is not handicapped;
- a widow or widower who's caring for your child under the age of sixteen, no matter the age of the widow or widower,
- unmarried children of the dead person also qualify if they are under age 18 (or age twenty two if they are disabled).
- in many cases, even grandchildren, step children or adopted children might qualify for survivor benefits.
If you're divorced, you might qualify for survivor benefits on an ex-spouse if you were married for minimum 10 years, and you are age 60 or older when your ex-spouse passes (you only need to be age 50 if you're disabled).
Applying for Survivor Benefits:
Social Security should be notified and Social Security widow benefits should be applied for immediately after a family member has passed. To do it, you can call the Social Security Administration or visit the nearest office to you. You'll require to provide proof of death (death certificate or proof from a funeral home), your Social Security number and your dead family member's Social Security number, your birth certificate, your marriage certificate if married, divorce papers if you are divorced, and income info for the deceased family member ( W-2s or income tax returns) for the most recent year.
A Few Vital Points Which You Have To Know About Social Security Spouse Benefits
When most people think about Social Security, they naturally think of retirement benefits. However about 1/5 of all Social Security benefits are spousal or survivor benefits, so when you're planning for retirement, it's important to consider the fact that you or your spouse may collect Social Security survivor benefits
How You Will Go With Social Security Survivor Benefits After Your Spouse Passes Away
When Social Security was first established, it only paid retirement income to workers who qualified. It was later amended to include benefits for spouses and survivors, which made it more of a family or insurance plan, instead of just a retirement plan.
Social Security Income: Recommendations To Help You Maximize Your Social Security Benefits
As you get closer to retirement, choosing when to take your Social Security may seem like rolling the dice. There are so many decisions to make, such as:
Social Security Eligibility Rules: What Are The Requirements For A Homemaker To Qualify For Social Security?
When Social Security was first established, most families only had one bread-earner, and only the working spouse qualified for retirement benefits. This caused financial difficulties for the spouse who didn't work (and therefore didn't qualify for Social Security) if the working spouse passed away first.
Using Government Grants So That You Can Upgrade And Improve Your Own Property.
Being on the property ladder whether renting or owning your own home it can be a very expensive ordeal.
Completely New Regulations Imply Much More Men And Women Doing Roth IRA Conversions In 2010
As we near the end of 2010, countless people have already done Roth IRA conversions, and many others are questioning if a Roth IRA conversion in 2010 is the right move for them.
Three Reasons To Use A Fee-Only Financial Advisors
There are three different types of financial advisors: the commission broker who sells a product for a commission, the fee-based advisor who provides investment management for a percentage of the assets invested, and the fee only financial planner who provides a comprehensive financial plan for an hourly fee.
Why Women Should Know Regarding Social Security Spouse And Survivor Benefits
When Social Security was established most women did not work. Lower or no earnings combined with a longer life span meant poverty for many women when their husbands passed away. Social Security recognized these challenges and have implemented several changes to the system to help women avoid poverty.
Tips On How To Improve Your Own Credit Check Score In 5 Simple Ways
Having a good credit check score is an absolute must in today's lending environment. In this lagging economic environment, your credit check score is certainly more important than ever.
Tips On How To Ask For Social Security Benefits
Social Security was originally created to provide retirement benefits to workers, but the program has grown tremendously and now Social Security provides disability benefits, death benefits and other family benefits in addition to retirement benefits.
Associated Articles
- Social Security Eligibility Rules: What Are The Requirements For A Homemaker To Qualify For Social Security?
- Submitting Your Social Security Application: When And How
- Using Government Grants So That You Can Upgrade And Improve Your Own Property.
- Completely New Regulations Imply Much More Men And Women Doing Roth IRA Conversions In 2010
- Some Of The Key Exceptional Roth IRA Withdrawal Rules Which May Assist You To Take Money Out Of Roth IRA
- Social Security Benefits: A Useful Discussion On Terms & Conditions To Get The Benefit And Ways To Collect After A Family Member's Death
- How You Will Proceed With Social Security Survivor Benefits After Your Spouse Passes Away
- Social Security Widow Benefits - What Happens To Your Social Security Benefits When A Spouse Passes Away
- Some Important Facts That You Should Know About Social Security Spouse Benefits
- Some Key Information Which You Must Know About Social Security Spouse Benefits
- Why Women Require To Know About Social Security Spouse And Survivor Benefits
- Present Condition Regarding Social Security Spouse And Survivor Benefits
- How You Will Get The Perfect Financial Planner To Reach Your Goal
Resources