Losing a family member is one of the most traumatic experiences a person can go through, especially if it’s someone close to them. Perhaps often, the last thing we think about is the Social Security Administration. For this reason, it’s important to consider Social Security Survivor Benefits. Below, we explain the steps to follow and how distributions work if the deceased person contributed and is therefore entitled to benefits for their next of kin. Here are the benefits and eligibility in 2025.
On the one hand, this is what the website says about minors. Children generally get 75% of the parent’s benefit. However, there’s a limit to how much a family can receive, called the ‘family maximum.’ We may lower everyone’s payments to stay under this limit. Ex-spouses don’t count toward the family maximum.
Children of someone who died may be eligible if they’re unmarried and are:
Age 17 and younger or ages 18–19 and in school (K–12) full time, or any age if they developed a disability at age 21 or younger. Under certain circumstances, we can also pay benefits to married children, stepchildren, adopted children, grandchildren, and stepgrandchildren: adult children with a disability and adult children who have a disability that started before their 22nd birthday may be eligible if their parent has died.
On the other hand, If you’re eligible for Survivor and another benefit, you’ll choose the payment that’s best for you. The payments won’t be added together. You can also switch benefits later. For example, you could start with Survivor benefits and then change to Retirement at age 70 when that payment is highest. You can find all the information explained on the Social Security Administration website.
Payments start at 71.5% of your spouse’s benefit and increase the longer you wait to apply
Payments start at 71.5% of your spouse’s benefit and increase the longer you wait to apply. For example, you might get:
Over 75% at age 61.
Over 80% at age 63.
Over 90% at age 65.
You can get up to 100% when you reach your “Full Retirement Age for Survivor benefits” (between ages 66–67).
Those interested should educate themselves so as not to waste time, considering the difficult time the family is going through. To be eligible to apply for Social Security benefits, the potential beneficiary must have previously contributed to the program through payroll taxes; this is important to be clear about. By paying employment taxes and contributing to Social Security payroll, the individual will obtain work credits, i.e., benefits. A worker can obtain a maximum of four work credits per year, and a minimum of 40 is required to begin applying for benefits upon becoming eligible.
On the website, in the Survivors’ Benefits section, interested parties can apply by phone or at any Social Security office. Certain information and documentation will be required, but it is recommended that you apply promptly if you do not have all of it. Original documents or certified copies from the issuing agency are required.
The information requested is as follows:
• Proof of death, either from a funeral home or a death certificate.
• Your Social Security number and the Social Security number of the deceased worker.
• Your birth certificate.
• Your marriage certificate if you are a surviving spouse.
• Your divorce papers if you are applying as a divorced surviving spouse.
• Social Security numbers of dependent children, if any, and birth certificates.
• The deceased worker’s W-2 forms or federal self-employment tax return for the most recent year.
Your bank name and account number so your benefits can be directly deposited into your account.
Anyhow, the official website recommends to keep in mind all the steps so you can find the information, don’t lose time and make the process as easy as it could be.
