Survivor benefits are payments made to the family members of a deceased worker through Social Security, pension plans, veterans benefits, or life insurance. They are designed to provide financial support to spouses, children, and other dependents who relied on the deceased person’s income. Understanding what survivor benefits are available and how to claim them can make a significant difference for families during an already difficult time.
Social Security survivor benefits
The most widely available survivor benefits in the United States are provided through Social Security. When a worker who has paid into Social Security dies their surviving family members may be eligible to receive monthly payments based on the deceased worker’s earnings record.
Who can receive Social Security survivor benefits:
- Surviving spouse — a widow or widower may receive survivor benefits as early as age 60, or age 50 if disabled. A surviving spouse who is caring for the deceased worker’s child under age 16 may receive benefits at any age.
- Divorced spouse — a divorced spouse may be eligible for survivor benefits if the marriage lasted at least 10 years
- Children — unmarried children under age 18, or up to age 19 if still in high school, may receive survivor benefits. Children of any age who were disabled before age 22 may also qualify.
- Dependent parents — parents aged 62 or older who were dependent on the deceased worker for at least half of their support may be eligible for survivor benefits
How much are Social Security survivor benefits
The amount of Social Security survivor benefits depends on the deceased worker’s earnings record and the relationship of the survivor to the worker. General guidelines include:
- A surviving spouse at full retirement age receives 100 percent of the deceased worker’s benefit amount
- A surviving spouse between age 60 and full retirement age receives between 71.5 and 99 percent of the deceased worker’s benefit
- A surviving spouse caring for a child under age 16 receives 75 percent of the deceased worker’s benefit
- Each eligible child receives 75 percent of the deceased worker’s benefit
- There is a maximum family benefit limit that caps the total amount paid to all survivors from one worker’s record — typically between 150 and 180 percent of the worker’s benefit amount
The Social Security lump sum death payment
In addition to monthly survivor benefits Social Security pays a one-time lump sum death payment of $255 to the surviving spouse or in some cases to eligible children. This payment must be applied for — it is not paid automatically. The application must be made within two years of the worker’s death.
How to apply for Social Security survivor benefits
Social Security survivor benefits are not paid automatically. Survivors must apply by:
- Calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213
- Visiting a local Social Security office in person
- Applying online at ssa.gov for certain types of survivor benefits
It is important to apply as soon as possible after the worker’s death because some benefits are not paid retroactively. Have the following documents ready when applying:
- Proof of the worker’s death such as a death certificate
- Your Social Security number and the deceased worker’s Social Security number
- Your birth certificate
- Marriage certificate if applying as a surviving spouse
- Divorce decree if applying as a divorced surviving spouse
- The deceased worker’s most recent W-2 or tax return
Survivor benefits and remarriage
Remarriage affects eligibility for Social Security survivor benefits depending on age. A surviving spouse who remarries before age 60 generally loses eligibility for survivor benefits based on the deceased spouse’s record. However remarrying at age 60 or older does not affect eligibility for survivor benefits.
Pension survivor benefits
Many employer pension plans offer survivor benefits to the spouses of deceased employees or retirees. These benefits are typically paid as a monthly annuity to the surviving spouse for the rest of their life.
Federal law requires that most private pension plans offer a joint and survivor annuity as the default payment option for married participants. Under this arrangement the retiree receives a slightly reduced monthly payment during their lifetime in exchange for continued payments to the surviving spouse after the retiree’s death.
If a pension participant wants to elect a different payment option — such as a single life annuity that pays more during the retiree’s lifetime but stops at death — the spouse must typically provide written consent.
Veterans survivor benefits
The Department of Veterans Affairs offers several survivor benefit programs for the spouses, children, and dependent parents of deceased veterans:
- Dependency and Indemnity Compensation — DIC — a tax-free monthly benefit paid to eligible survivors of veterans who died from a service-connected condition or who had a total service-connected disability rating at the time of death
- Survivors Pension — a needs-based benefit for low income surviving spouses and unmarried children of deceased wartime veterans
- Aid and Attendance — an enhanced benefit for surviving spouses who need help with daily activities, payable in addition to the Survivors Pension
- Chapter 35 educational benefits — educational assistance for spouses and children of veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-connected condition or who died from a service-connected condition
Life insurance survivor benefits
Life insurance death benefits are paid directly to the named beneficiary upon the death of the insured. They are generally paid as a lump sum and are not subject to federal income tax. Life insurance proceeds pass outside of probate as long as a named beneficiary is on file.
Federal employees and military personnel may have access to group life insurance through their employer. The Federal Employees Group Life Insurance — FEGLI — program provides life insurance to federal civilian employees and retirees.
What to do when a loved one dies
When a loved one dies there are several steps to take regarding survivor benefits:
- Obtain multiple certified copies of the death certificate — you will need them for benefit applications, financial institutions, and other purposes
- Contact Social Security as soon as possible to report the death and inquire about survivor benefits
- Review any pension plan documents to understand survivor benefit options and how to claim them
- Contact the VA if the deceased was a veteran to inquire about survivor benefits
- Notify life insurance companies and file claims for death benefits
- Review financial accounts and beneficiary designations to understand what assets pass directly to survivors
Key terms to know
- Survivor benefits — payments made to family members of a deceased worker through Social Security, pensions, veterans benefits, or life insurance
- Dependency and Indemnity Compensation — DIC — a VA benefit paid to survivors of veterans who died from a service-connected condition
- Joint and survivor annuity — a pension payment option that provides continued payments to a surviving spouse after the retiree’s death
- Lump sum death payment — a one-time $255 Social Security payment made upon a worker’s death
- Survivors Pension — a needs-based VA benefit for surviving spouses and children of deceased wartime veterans
- Full retirement age — the age at which a surviving spouse receives 100 percent of the deceased worker’s Social Security benefit
Sources
- Social Security Administration — ssa.gov
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs — va.gov
- U.S. Department of Labor — Pension and Benefits
- USA.gov — Benefits After Someone Dies
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Benefit rules and amounts are subject to change. Visit ssa.gov or va.gov or contact a licensed professional for the most current information specific to your situation.