Social Security Death Benefits

​Social Security death benefits are paid out to eligible surviving spouses, children, and sometimes other relatives.

Social Security death benefits are paid out to eligible surviving spouses, children, and sometimes other relatives. Social Security will pay out a lump-sum benefit of $255 and an ongoing monthly monetary benefit. What are these benefits and who is eligible?

What is the ongoing monetary benefit and how much is it?

Monthly payments are given to surviving spouses or dependents based on meeting criteria. Survivors are eligible for benefits if the deceased party worked for a total of 10 years in their lifetime or a total of 1.5 years within the three years before their death.

It’s important to note that surviving beneficiaries will have to choose between survivor benefits or their own benefits that they have accumulated.

The monthly benefit amount depends on the earnings of the late party. The more that they had earned over the course of their lifetime, the greater the monthly benefit will be. From The Balance, survivors can expect:

• Widow, widower, or surviving divorced spouse: 100% at full retirement age or older or from 71.5% at age 60 to as much as 99% before full retirement age, depending on the age of the beneficiary when benefits begin.
• Disabled widow, widower, or surviving divorced spouse, ages 50–59: 71.5%.
• Widow or widower, any age, caring for a child younger than 16: 75%.
• A child younger than 18 (19 if still in elementary or secondary school) or disabled: 75%.
• Dependent parent(s) of the deceased worker, age 62 or older: 82.5% for one surviving parent or 75% apiece to each of two surviving parents.

Who gets these benefits?

Those eligible for Social Security benefits of the deceased individual can include spouses, divorced partners, and children. Grandchildren may be eligible if they meet certain criteria.

Spouses - Spouses who were married for at least nine months can begin to receive the monthly benefits once they are 60 years old. If the spouse is caring for a child under 16 years old at the time, they are eligible for benefits at that time and do not have to wait until age 60.

Divorced partners - If the late party and their divorced partner were married for at least 10 years and is still unmarried by age 60, they are eligible for a lifetime monthly benefit.

Children - Children of the deceased are able to receive benefits if they are younger than 18.

The emotional toll of death in the family can cause turmoil and unknowns. With Social Security benefits, the financial burden may be lessened. To get the full picture of Social Security benefits, learn how to apply, and discover if you are eligible, speak with a financial advisor who can break it down for you.

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