Social Security After Death: Survivors Benefits, Lump Sum, and How to Apply
Social Security provides critical financial support to families after a death. Survivors may be eligible for ongoing monthly benefits and a one-time lump-sum payment. This guide explains exactly who qualifies, how much you can expect, and how to apply. For a broader overview of everything you need to do, read our step-by-step guide.
How to Notify Social Security
Call SSA: 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778)
Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM local time
The funeral home will usually report the death to SSA using the deceased's Social Security number. However, you should always call to confirm the death was reported and to apply for any benefits you may be eligible for. You cannot report a death or apply for survivors benefits online.
What you will need when you call:
- •The deceased's Social Security number
- •Your Social Security number (if applying for benefits)
- •The deceased's date of birth and date of death
- •Certified copy of the death certificate
- •Marriage certificate (if applying as a surviving spouse)
- •Birth certificates of any dependent children
Returning Payments After Death
Social Security benefits are not payable for the month of death or any month after. Even if the person dies on the last day of the month, the entire payment for that month must be returned. Social Security pays one month behind, so if someone dies in March, the payment received in April (for March) must be returned.
Direct Deposit
Contact the bank or financial institution and ask them to return any payments received after the date of death to SSA. Most banks will do this automatically once they are notified of the death, but verify. Do not withdraw funds from the account before the payments are returned.
Paper Checks
Do not cash or deposit any checks received for the month of death or later. Return uncashed checks to your local Social Security office. If a check was already cashed or deposited, SSA will send an overpayment notice and request repayment.
The $255 Lump-Sum Death Payment
Social Security pays a one-time lump-sum death payment of $255 to eligible survivors. The amount has not changed since 1954. While modest, it is worth claiming. You must apply within two years of the date of death.
Who Qualifies
- •Surviving spouse who was living with the deceased at the time of death
- •Surviving spouse (even if not living together) who was receiving Social Security benefits on the deceased's record
- •Eligible child who was receiving benefits on the deceased's record (if no eligible spouse exists)
How to Apply
Call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local Social Security office. You will need to complete Form SSA-10 (Application for Lump-Sum Death Payment). The payment is typically issued within a few weeks of approval. If you are also applying for survivors benefits, both can be handled in the same call or visit.
Survivors Benefits: Who Gets What
Survivors benefits are monthly payments based on the deceased's Social Security earnings record. The more the deceased earned and the longer they worked, the higher the benefit. Here is who qualifies and how much they can receive:
Widow or Widower (Age 60+)
71.5% to 100% of benefitA surviving spouse can begin receiving reduced benefits at age 60. The amount increases with age, reaching 100% of the deceased's benefit at the surviving spouse's full retirement age (currently 66 to 67, depending on birth year). At age 60, the benefit is approximately 71.5%. If you are already receiving your own Social Security retirement benefit, you can switch to survivors benefits if they would be higher, or vice versa.
Disabled Widow or Widower (Age 50 to 59)
71.5% of benefitA surviving spouse who is disabled can begin receiving benefits as early as age 50. The disability must have started within 7 years of the deceased's death (or within 7 years of when the surviving spouse last received benefits as a parent caring for a child). The benefit amount is 71.5% of the deceased's basic benefit.
Widow or Widower with Child Under 16
75% of benefitA surviving spouse of any age who is caring for the deceased's child under age 16 (or a disabled child of any age) can receive 75% of the deceased's benefit. There is no age requirement for the surviving spouse. Benefits continue until the youngest child turns 16 (unless the child is disabled). This benefit is sometimes called "mother's" or "father's" benefits.
Children Under 18 (or 19 in School)
75% of benefitUnmarried children under age 18, or under 19 if still attending elementary or secondary school full-time, can receive 75% of the deceased parent's benefit. Stepchildren, adopted children, and in some cases grandchildren may also qualify. Disabled children of any age can receive benefits if the disability began before age 22.
Dependent Parents (Age 62+)
75% to 82.5% of benefitIf the deceased was providing at least half of a parent's financial support, the parent can receive benefits starting at age 62. One surviving parent receives 82.5% of the deceased's benefit. If two parents both qualify, each receives 75%. The parent must not be eligible for a higher Social Security benefit on their own record.
Divorced Spouse
Same as current spouseA divorced spouse can receive survivors benefits on the same terms as a current spouse if the marriage lasted at least 10 years. Benefits paid to a divorced spouse do not reduce the amount available to the current spouse or other survivors. If the divorced spouse remarried before age 60, they generally cannot collect (but see the remarriage rules below).
The Family Maximum
There is a limit on the total amount of survivors benefits that can be paid on one person's earnings record. This family maximum is typically 150% to 180% of the deceased's basic benefit amount. If multiple family members qualify and the total would exceed the maximum, each person's benefit is reduced proportionally (except for divorced spouses, whose benefits do not count toward the family maximum).
Example
If the deceased's monthly benefit was $2,000 and the family maximum is 175% ($3,500), and a surviving spouse plus two children all qualify for 75% ($1,500 each), the total requested ($4,500) exceeds the maximum. Each person's benefit would be reduced so the family total equals $3,500.
How to Apply for Survivors Benefits
You cannot apply for survivors benefits online. You must call SSA or visit a local Social Security office in person.
Documents You May Need
- •Proof of death (certified death certificate)
- •Your Social Security number and the deceased's Social Security number
- •Your birth certificate
- •Marriage certificate (if applying as a spouse)
- •Divorce decree (if applying as a divorced spouse)
- •Birth certificates of dependent children
- •The deceased's most recent W-2 or self-employment tax return
- •Your bank account information for direct deposit
When Benefits Start
Survivors benefits are generally effective from the month you apply, though they can sometimes be paid retroactively for up to 6 months. Benefits are paid the month after they are due (for example, the January benefit is paid in February). Apply as soon as possible to avoid losing months of payments. There is no advantage to waiting unless you are between age 60 and your full retirement age and want to maximize the monthly amount.
Working While Receiving Survivors Benefits
If you receive survivors benefits before your full retirement age and continue working, your benefits may be temporarily reduced based on your earnings:
Under full retirement age for the entire year
$1 deducted for every $2 earned above $22,320 (2024 limit)
Year you reach full retirement age
$1 deducted for every $3 earned above $59,520 (2024 limit), only counting months before your birthday
Full retirement age and older
No reduction regardless of earnings
Any benefits withheld due to earnings are not lost permanently. When you reach full retirement age, SSA recalculates your benefit to give you credit for the months benefits were withheld. Your monthly benefit will increase.
Remarriage Rules
Remarry before age 60
You generally cannot receive survivors benefits on the deceased's record while you are married. However, if your new marriage ends (by death, divorce, or annulment), you can potentially receive survivors benefits again.
Remarry at age 60 or later (50 if disabled)
Your survivors benefits are not affected. You can continue receiving benefits on the deceased's record. You may also be eligible for benefits on your new spouse's record. SSA will pay the higher of the two, but not both.
Children's benefits
A parent's remarriage does not affect children's survivors benefits. Children continue receiving their benefits regardless of the surviving parent's marital status.
Government Pension Offset (GPO)
If you receive a pension from a federal, state, or local government job where you did not pay Social Security taxes, your survivors benefits may be reduced. The Government Pension Offset reduces your Social Security survivors benefit by two-thirds of your government pension.
Example
If your government pension is $900 per month, the GPO would reduce your survivors benefit by $600 (two-thirds of $900). If your survivors benefit would be $1,200, you would receive $600 ($1,200 minus $600). If the GPO amount exceeds your survivors benefit, you receive nothing from Social Security.
The GPO does not apply if you paid Social Security taxes during the last 60 months of government employment, or if your government employment was before July 1, 2004, and you met certain other conditions. This is a complex area; contact SSA for help determining how the GPO applies to your situation.
Special Situations
If You Already Receive Your Own Social Security
You cannot receive both your own retirement benefit and a full survivors benefit at the same time. SSA will pay the higher of the two amounts. However, there is a strategy: if your own retirement benefit will eventually be higher than the survivors benefit, you can start survivors benefits at 60, switch to your own retirement benefit at 70 (when it reaches its maximum), and maximize your total lifetime income. Speak with SSA about the best claiming strategy for your situation.
Veterans
If the deceased was a veteran, survivors may also qualify for VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) or Survivors Pension in addition to Social Security survivors benefits. These are separate programs with separate applications. See our veterans benefits guide for details. Contact the VA at 1-800-827-1000.
If the Deceased Was Not Yet Receiving Social Security
Survivors benefits are available even if the deceased had not yet started collecting Social Security, as long as they earned enough work credits (generally 40 credits, which equals about 10 years of work). Younger workers may need fewer credits. If the deceased died with as few as 6 credits (1.5 years of work), children and a spouse caring for children may still qualify.
Survivors Benefits Quick Reference
| Who | Benefit Amount |
|---|---|
| Widow/widower | 100% |
| Widow/widower | 71.5% |
| Disabled widow/widower | 71.5% |
| Widow/widower with child under 16 | 75% |
| Child | 75% |
| Disabled child | 75% |
| One dependent parent | 82.5% |
| Two dependent parents | 75% each |
| Family maximum | 150% to 180% |
Percentages are based on the deceased's primary insurance amount (PIA), which is the benefit they would have received at full retirement age.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I report a death to Social Security?
Call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778). The funeral home may report the death, but always call to verify and to apply for benefits. You cannot report a death online.
Who qualifies for the $255 Social Security death payment?
The surviving spouse who was living with the deceased, or a surviving spouse who was receiving benefits on the deceased's record. If there is no eligible spouse, a child receiving benefits on the record may qualify. Apply within two years of death.
Can I receive survivors benefits if I remarry?
If you remarry at age 60 or later (50 if disabled), your survivors benefits are not affected. If you remarry before age 60, you generally cannot receive survivors benefits while married. However, if the later marriage ends, you may become eligible again.
Do I have to return Social Security payments received after death?
Yes. Benefits are not payable for the month of death or any month after. If payments were direct-deposited, contact the bank to return them to SSA. Do not cash any checks received after the death.
Can I get both my own Social Security and survivors benefits?
You cannot receive both full amounts simultaneously. SSA pays the higher of the two. However, you can strategically time when you claim each benefit to maximize your lifetime income. Contact SSA to discuss the best claiming strategy for your situation.
Related Guides
Step-by-Step Guide
A complete walkthrough of everything you need to do after someone dies.
Veterans Benefits
VA burial benefits, survivor pensions, and how to file a claim.
Retirement Accounts
Inherited IRAs, 401(k) options, and required distributions for beneficiaries.
Health Insurance
COBRA, marketplace options, and Medicare changes after a death.