Who Gets Social Security Survival Benefits?

The deaths of family breadwinners ravage emotions and threaten family finances. Social Security survivor benefits provide spouses and children a safety net to cope with such losses. Widows, widowers, children and dependent parents all can benefit from Social Security life insurance if a working loved one dies. Moreover, the federal government reports that this aid often exceeds benefits provided by private life insurance policies.

Widows and Widowers

In general, Social Security survivor benefits go to widows and widowers when they turn 60 at a reduced rate, or at full benefit rate when they turn 66, which is the full retirement age by government standards. Disabled widows and widowers receive benefits as early as age 50. The amount depends on several factors, including whether widows or widowers work and the amount deceased parties paid into Social Security during working years. Widows and widowers of any age receive benefits if they care for children younger than 16.

Children

At least 98 out of every 100 children of deceased working parents are eligible for survivors' benefits, according to the Social Security Administration. In general, children younger than 18 receive benefits. Children as old as 19 can collect if attending elementary or secondary school full time. Surviving children of any age can collect benefits if disabled before age 22. Under some circumstances, dependent stepchildren, grandchildren and adopted children are eligible for benefits.

Dependent Parents

Surviving parents who relied on the income of deceased children for at least half of their monetary support can collect Social Security survivors' benefits. Benefits only apply to dependent parents aged 62 and older.

Surviving Divorced Spouses

In most cases, divorced spouses receive benefits if the marriage continued for at least 10 years and if the surviving parties are 60 or older. These benefits begin at age 50 in cases of disability. Divorced widows and widowers can collect earlier than the restricted ages if caring for children (younger than 16) of the deceased ex-spouses.

Those who remarry before age 60 are not eligible for benefits unless the later marriage ends in death, divorce or annulment.

Applying for Benefits

The government recommends applying for Social Security aid immediately after the death of an income-earning family member as benefits begin following application, not actual death. Proof of death, Social Security numbers, birth and/or marriage certificates, and W-2s of deceased workers are among documents needed during the application process.

References

• Social Security Administration Surviors' Benefits
• Social Security Survivor Plans

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