Report the death to Social Security as soon as possible
When a Social Security beneficiary dies, you must report the death to Social Security. The funeral home often does this automatically, but you should not rely on that alone — call Social Security directly to confirm the death has been reported. You can reach Social Security at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Have the person's Social Security number ready.
If you are calling on behalf of the deceased person's family, you may be asked to verify your relationship. Social Security will stop the person's monthly benefit payments once the death is recorded. Any payment received after the month of death must be returned, even if it was deposited automatically into a bank account.
If the person was receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in addition to Social Security, report that death separately to your state's SSI program. The phone number is on the person's SSI award letter.
Key Takeaways
- Report the death to Social Security by calling 1-800-772-1213; do not assume the funeral home will do it.
- Any Social Security payment received in the month after death or later must be returned to Social Security.
- Surviving spouses, children, and parents may be may have access to to survivor benefits based on the deceased person's earnings record.
- You will need a certified copy of the death certificate to claim survivor benefits or to resolve any overpayments.
- Survivor benefits end on specific dates depending on the survivor's age and relationship to the deceased.
Who can receive survivor benefits
When a person who was receiving Social Security dies, certain family members may receive survivor benefits based on that person's earnings record. These are not separate payments — they come from the same Social Security trust fund the deceased person was drawing from. You do not receive both the deceased person's benefit and a survivor benefit; instead, you receive a survivor benefit if you meet the requirements.
A surviving spouse can receive benefits at age 60 (or age 50 if disabled), or at any age if caring for a child under 16. A surviving ex-spouse can also receive benefits under the same rules if the marriage lasted at least 10 years. Unmarried children can receive benefits until age 19 if they are in high school full-time, or until age 18 if not in school. Children who were disabled before age 22 can receive benefits for life. A surviving parent age 62 or older can receive benefits if the deceased person was providing at least half their financial support.
The total amount paid to all family members cannot exceed a limit set by Social Security, usually between 150 and 180 percent of what the deceased person was receiving. If multiple family members are may have access to, Social Security divides the total among them.
How to report a death and claim survivor benefits
Start by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to report the death. Have ready the deceased person's Social Security number, date of birth, and date of death. Social Security will ask whether any family members might be may have access to to survivor benefits. If you say yes, Social Security will schedule an appointment for you to come in or to continue the conversation by phone.
Bring a certified copy of the death certificate to your appointment. You will also need to show proof of your own identity (a driver's license, passport, or state ID card) and proof of your relationship to the deceased person. For a spouse, this is a marriage certificate. For a child, this is a birth certificate. For a parent, this is a birth certificate showing the deceased person's parents. For an ex-spouse, bring the divorce decree.
If you are explore for benefits as a parent, Social Security will also ask for proof that the deceased person was providing at least half your financial support. This can be a will, life insurance policy, or tax returns showing the deceased person claimed you as a dependent.
Handling overpayments and returned benefits
If the deceased person received a Social Security payment in the month after they died, that payment must be returned. For example, if someone dies on March 15, the March payment (usually received in early April) must be returned. The April payment and all later payments should not have been issued, but if they were, they must also be returned.
Social Security will send a notice stating the amount owed. You can return the money by check or money order made out to "Social Security Administration" and mailed to the address on the notice. If the overpayment is small (usually under $25), Social Security may waive it. If you believe the overpayment was Social Security's error, you can request a waiver by writing to Social Security and explaining why you should not have to repay it.
If survivor benefits are being paid to family members, Social Security may offset the overpayment against those benefits — meaning the family's survivor payments will be reduced until the overpayment is recovered. You can ask Social Security to adjust the offset amount if it causes hardship.
When survivor benefits end
Survivor benefits are not permanent for most people. A surviving spouse's benefits end at their full retirement age (unless they are caring for a child under 16, in which case benefits end when the youngest child turns 16). A surviving child's benefits end at age 18 (or 19 if in high school, or never if disabled before age 22). A surviving parent's benefits continue as long as they remain age 62 or older and unmarried.
If a survivor remarries before age 60, their benefits end when ready. If they remarry at age 60 or later, benefits continue. An ex-spouse's benefits also end if they remarry before age 60.
Social Security sends a notice before benefits end, explaining the reason and the final payment date. If a survivor's circumstances change — for example, a child turns 18 and leaves high school, or a disabled adult's condition improves — you must report the change to Social Security.
What happens to the deceased person's Social Security account
Once Social Security records the death, the deceased person's account is closed. No further payments are issued under that Social Security number. The account remains in Social Security's records, and family members can view the earnings history by creating a my Social Security account online at ssa.gov, though access may be limited depending on your relationship to the deceased person.
If you need a copy of the deceased person's earnings record for legal or tax purposes, you can request it from Social Security. Call 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local Social Security office in person with a certified copy of the death certificate and proof of your relationship to the deceased person.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if the funeral home says they reported the death to Social Security?
Funeral homes can report deaths to Social Security, but the report does not always reach the right office or get processed when ready. Call Social Security yourself at 1-800-772-1213 to confirm the death is recorded in their system. This ensures payments stop and prevents overpayments.
Can I receive survivor benefits if the person was not yet receiving Social Security?
Yes. If the deceased person had worked long enough to earn Social Security credits (generally 10 years of work), family members may still receive survivor benefits even if the person had not yet started collecting. Call Social Security to find out whether the person's work record qualifies.
Do I have to repay an overpayment if Social Security made the error?
Not necessarily. You can request a waiver of the overpayment if you did not cause the error and repaying it would cause hardship. Write to Social Security explaining your situation. Social Security will review your request, though approval is not may provide.
What if I am a surviving spouse but I am still working?
You can receive survivor benefits and work at the same time. However, if you are under full retirement age, your benefits will be reduced by $1 for every $2 you earn above an annual limit (the limit changes each year). Once you reach full retirement age, you can earn any amount without a reduction.
How long does it take to receive the first survivor benefit payment?
Processing time varies. If you report the death and explore for survivor benefits in the same call, Social Security typically processes the claim within two to three weeks. The first payment usually arrives one to two months after your process is approved.