How Social Security handles death and what family members need to do
When a Social Security beneficiary dies, their monthly payments stop immediately. The person who was receiving benefits should not be paid for the month of death, though this sometimes happens by mistake. Family members or the person handling the estate need to report the death to Social Security within a specific timeframe — waiting too long can create overpayments that the agency will pursue for repayment.
Beyond stopping the deceased person's own benefits, Social Security may pay survivor benefits to their spouse, children, or parents, depending on age and relationship. These payments come from the same Social Security account the deceased person paid into during their working years. The amount each survivor receives depends on how much the deceased earned and how many other family members are also receiving benefits.
Key Takeaways
- Report a death to Social Security as soon as possible by calling 1-800-772-1213 or visiting a local Social Security office in person.
- The funeral home often reports the death automatically to Social Security, but you should confirm this happened rather than assume it.
- Surviving spouses, children under 19 (or 23 if in school full-time), and dependent parents may receive monthly survivor benefits based on the deceased's earnings record.
- A one-time payment of $255 may go to the surviving spouse or, if none exists, to a child who was receiving benefits.
- If Social Security overpays after death, the agency will demand repayment from the estate or the person who received the extra funds.
Reporting the death to Social Security
You do not have to be a family member to report a death. Anyone who knows the person has died can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and provide the deceased's name, Social Security number, and date of death. The agency is open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern time. Wait times are usually shorter early in the morning or later in the afternoon.
Many funeral homes report deaths to Social Security automatically as part of their standard process, but this is not may provide. If you are arranging the funeral, ask the funeral director whether they will file the report. If they say yes, follow up with Social Security yourself within a week to confirm the report went through. If the funeral home does not report it, you must call yourself.
You can also report the death in person at your local Social Security office. Bring the death certificate or a certified copy. This is slower than calling but creates a paper record and may be useful if there are complications later.
Survivor benefits for spouses and children
A surviving spouse can receive benefits at any age if they are caring for a child under 16 who is also receiving benefits. Otherwise, a spouse must be at least 60 years old to receive a reduced benefit, or 66 to 67 (depending on birth year) to receive the full survivor benefit amount. A divorced spouse may also receive benefits if the marriage lasted at least 10 years and they have not remarried.
Children of the deceased can receive benefits until age 18, or until age 19 if they are in high school full-time. Children who became disabled before age 22 can receive benefits for life, regardless of current age. Each child's monthly payment is typically 50 to 75 percent of what the deceased person was receiving or would have received at full retirement age.
Dependent parents of the deceased can receive survivor benefits if they were receiving at least half their support from the deceased at the time of death and are at least 62 years old. This is rare but does occur, particularly when an adult child was the primary earner supporting an aging parent.
The one-time death benefit and how to claim it
Social Security pays a one-time lump sum of $255 to help cover funeral or burial costs. This payment goes to the surviving spouse if one exists, or to a child who was receiving benefits on the deceased's record. If no spouse or child is receiving benefits, the payment goes to whoever paid for the funeral and can show proof of those expenses.
The $255 payment is not automatic. Someone must contact Social Security to request it, usually within two years of the death. Bring the death certificate and proof of who paid for funeral expenses if you are claiming it as someone other than a spouse or child already receiving benefits. The funeral home's invoice or receipt works as proof.
What happens if Social Security overpays after death
If the deceased person received a Social Security payment for the month they died, or if payments continued after death before the agency was notified, Social Security will demand repayment. The overpayment is usually taken from survivor benefits first. If there are no survivor benefits, the agency can pursue the estate or the person who received the funds.
If you received an overpayment notice and believe it is wrong — for example, if you reported the death on time but the agency continued paying anyway — you can request a waiver of overpayment. This requires showing that you were not at fault for the overpayment and that repaying it would cause financial hardship. The process takes several weeks and requires submitting a written request to your local Social Security office.
Notifying other agencies and closing accounts
Beyond Social Security, you will need to notify other agencies and institutions. The funeral home can provide multiple certified copies of the death certificate — order at least 10 to 15 copies, as banks, insurance companies, and government agencies each typically require their own. Some states allow you to order additional copies online through the vital records office.
Contact the deceased person's bank, credit card companies, mortgage lender, and insurance providers. If the person was receiving Medicare, notify Medicare at 1-800-633-4227. If they were receiving Medicaid, contact your state's Medicaid office. If they had a pension from a former employer, notify the pension administrator. Each institution has its own process and timeline for closing or transferring accounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I receive survivor benefits if I was not married to the deceased?
Only if you are their biological or legally adopted child, or a dependent parent. Unmarried partners, stepchildren without legal adoption, or grandchildren do not receive survivor benefits unless there are exceptional circumstances. A former spouse can receive benefits if the marriage lasted at least 10 years.
What if the deceased person was not yet receiving Social Security?
Survivor benefits can still be paid based on their earnings record. The deceased must have earned enough work credits — generally 40 credits over their lifetime, with at least 6 earned in the last three years before death. Contact Social Security to find out whether the deceased person's record qualifies.
How long does it take to receive survivor benefits after reporting the death?
Processing typically takes two to four weeks after Social Security receives the death report. Payments are made by direct deposit or check, depending on how the deceased person received their own benefits. If you are a new beneficiary, the first payment may take longer because Social Security must verify your relationship and age.
What if I think Social Security made a mistake in calculating my survivor benefit?
Request a detailed benefit calculation from Social Security in writing. You can appeal the amount within 60 days of receiving the notice. Submit your appeal to your local Social Security office or by mail to the address on your notice. Include any documents that support your claim, such as birth certificates or marriage records.
Do I have to report survivor benefits as income on my taxes?
Survivor benefits are generally not taxable, but in some cases part of your benefits may be taxable if you have other income above certain thresholds. Social Security will send you a form SSA-1099 showing the benefits you received. Consult a tax professional or the IRS website to determine whether your specific situation requires reporting.