What happens to Social Security payments when a beneficiary dies in the United States?

Month after month, the Social Security Administration (SSA) sends millions of benefit payments to retirees, disabled workers, and other eligible Americans. Those monthly payments stop when a beneficiary dies, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the money is gone forever.

In some cases, surviving family members may qualify to receive benefits based on the deceased person’s work record. It’s important to know that continuing to cash checks or access direct deposits after someone has died is considered fraud under federal law.

When a person dies, the funeral home usually notifies the SSA. If that doesn’t happen, the death should be reported as soon as possible. Once the agency is informed, it determines whether any surviving relatives qualify for Social Security survivor benefits.

Who can receive Social Security survivor benefits?

Survivor benefits provide monthly payments to certain family members of workers who paid Social Security taxes before they died.

Eligibility depends on your relationship to the deceased and your personal circumstances.

Spouses and former spouses

You may qualify if:

• You are age 60 or older, or age 50 to 59 if you have a disability.
• You were married to the deceased for at least nine months before they died.
• You did not remarry before age 60 (or age 50 if you have a disability).

Former spouses may also qualify if the marriage lasted at least 10 years. In some situations, legally recognized non-marital relationships may also be eligible.

Regardless of your age or how long you were married, you may qualify if you are caring for the deceased person’s child.

Children

Children may qualify if they:

• Are unmarried.
• Are age 17 or younger.
• Are 18 or 19 and attending elementary or secondary school full time.
• Developed a disability before turning 22.

Under certain circumstances, benefits may also be available to married children, stepchildren, adopted children, grandchildren, and step-grandchildren.

Adult children with disabilities

Adults whose disability began before age 22 may continue to qualify for survivor benefits after a parent dies.

Dependent parents

Parents may be eligible if they are at least 62 years old and were financially dependent on the deceased son or daughter.

How much are survivor benefits?

The amount of the monthly payment is based on the deceased worker’s earnings history.

For spouses and former spouses, benefits can begin at 71.5% of the deceased person’s benefit, with the percentage increasing the longer you wait to claim.

For example, you could receive:

• More than 75% at age 61.
• More than 80% at age 63.
• More than 90% at age 65.
• Up to 100% once you reach your full retirement age.

Eligible children generally receive 75% of their parent’s benefit.

In addition to ongoing monthly payments, a surviving spouse or certain eligible children may also qualify for a one-time lump-sum death payment of $255.

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