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What to do with Social Security after a death: how to report it, the $255 lump-sum benefit, survivor benefits for spouses and children, and what payments must be returned.
Social Security is one of the first agencies you need to contact after a death, and one of the most important. There are strict rules about payments received after death, survivor benefits worth thousands per year, and a lump-sum payment many families miss. Here is everything you need to know.
Social Security must be notified of a death as quickly as possible. You have two options:
The funeral home: Funeral homes are required by law to report deaths to Social Security if you provide them with the deceased's Social Security number (which they already collect). This is the easiest method and happens automatically.
Call SSA directly: Call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778) Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.–7 p.m. You cannot report a death online.
Social Security benefits are paid for the previous month. This means if someone dies in June, their June payment (received in July) must be returned. Do not spend this payment.
If the payment was made by direct deposit, Social Security will automatically withdraw it from the bank account. If the bank account has already been closed, you must return the payment manually.
If the payment was received by check, do not cash it. Return it to SSA.
Keeping payments you are not entitled to is considered fraud. The SSA actively recovers these overpayments.
Social Security pays a one-time $255 lump-sum death payment to eligible survivors. Despite its small size (unchanged since 1954), it is worth claiming.
Eligible recipients: A surviving spouse living in the same household at the time of death, OR a surviving spouse or child entitled to survivor benefits.
How to claim it: File a claim with SSA by calling 1-800-772-1213 or visiting your local SSA office. You must apply — this benefit is not paid automatically. You must apply within 2 years of the death.
What you need: The deceased's Social Security number, death certificate, and your own Social Security information.
Survivor benefits are significantly more valuable than the $255 lump-sum — potentially worth tens of thousands of dollars per year. A surviving spouse may be eligible to receive up to 100% of the deceased's Social Security benefit amount.
You can receive survivor benefits as early as age 60 (or 50 if you are disabled). Receiving benefits before your full retirement age reduces the benefit amount. At full retirement age, you receive 100% of the deceased's benefit.
Important: If your own Social Security benefit is higher than the survivor benefit, you may be better off waiting to claim your own. The SSA can help you model both scenarios.
Children of a deceased Social Security recipient may be eligible for monthly benefits until age 18 (or 19 if still in secondary school). Disabled children who became disabled before age 22 may receive benefits indefinitely.
The amount is typically up to 75% of the deceased parent's basic Social Security benefit. There is a "family maximum" that limits the total paid to all survivors combined, typically 150–180% of the deceased's benefit.
Contact SSA as soon as possible — ideally within the first week. The funeral home will usually handle the initial notification, but you should follow up to ensure it was received and to discuss survivor benefits.
If a surviving spouse remarries before age 60, survivor benefits typically stop. If they remarry at 60 or older, they can still receive survivor benefits. If the new marriage ends (divorce or death), some survivor benefits may be reinstated.
If the deceased did not accumulate enough Social Security credits (generally 40 credits, or 10 years of work), their survivors may not be eligible for standard survivor benefits. Medicaid and SSI are separate programs that may still apply.
Possibly. If the survivor's combined income (including half of Social Security benefits) exceeds $25,000 for an individual or $32,000 for a married couple, up to 50–85% of benefits may be taxable. Consult a tax professional.
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