Latest News
End of Life Doesn’t Always Mean End of Social Security Benefits
Of course, Social Security retirement benefits stop when a beneficiary dies, but surviving spouses, ex-spouses, surviving minor children, surviving disabled adult children, and, sometimes, surviving parents may be able to get benefits even after benefits have stopped for the deceased. Survivor benefits are an important feature of Social Security, starting when widow benefits were added in 1939 and evolving over the years to include other dependents as well. There are, of course, myriad rules which govern who can collect a survivor benefit, when, and for how long, but today nearly 8 million dependents collect benefits from deceased workers. This Yahoo! article by Vance Cariaga discusses how Social Security’s survivor benefit program works and explains what happens to Social Security when you die. Click here to read more.
Also, if you’re unsure about how these basics apply to you, or if you have any questions about your individual situation under Social Security, note that the AMAC Foundation provides a free-to-the-public service to help Americans navigate the complexities of this program. Learn more about it here…
Is the 25000 dollars in death payment still being offered?
April:
The article you’re commenting on discusses the issue of survivor benefits or, in other words, benefits paid on someone’s work record after they are deceased. The only other “death payment” currently available from Social Security is the $255 lump-sum payment, a one-time payment available to a surviving spouse who meets specific requirements, or a child.
Gerry Hafer, Social Security Advisor
AMAC Foundation, Inc.
http://www.amacfoundation.org
(888) 750-2622
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, including any attachments, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the person or entity to whom the message was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please be advised that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, copying, or use of the contents of this message, and any attached documentation, is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender. Please also permanently delete all copies of the original message and any attached documentation. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this message are the viewpoints of the message’s author, a trained advisor accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). The author, the NSSA, and the AMAC Foundation are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.
My husband passed away August 24th. I understand that I will not get to keep his August check but how do I get the death benefit of $255.
Colleen
First I would like to offer you my condolences on the loss of your husband. You are entitled to keep the payment he received in August, as it was actually his payment for July. If you receive a payment in September, that is the one Social Security will take back. If they take back the one he received in August, you will need to contact Social Security and claim it. Use form: https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ssa-1724.pdf You need to contact your local Social Security office or call 1-800-772-1213 to claim the $255 death benefit.
If you have more questions, please email us directly at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org.
Sharon L Kleczka RSSA
National Social Security Advisor/Registered Social Security Analyst
The AMAC Foundation