The following checklist is designed to help you file for your Social Security benefits correctly so that prompt payments may be made.
Most of us don’t like to talk about death or even think about it. But wouldn’t you feel better knowing that, if you were no longer living, Social Security would help take care of your family?Of course, you would.
If you are working and paying into Social Security, some of the Social Security taxes you pay goes toward survivors insurance. In fact, the value of the survivors insurance you have under Social Security is probably more than the value of your current life insurance. And you thought Social Security was just for retirement!
If you are married and both of you are wage earners, you should consider survivors benefits from both perspectives.
When you die, members of your family could be eligible for benefits based on your earnings. Planning For Your Survivors explains how you earn benefits and who qualifies for them.
If your spouse or parent dies, you and your family could be eligible to receive benefits based on their earnings. To learn about the survivors benefits that may be available to you, go to If You Are the Survivor.
Just as you plan for your family’s protection if you die, you should consider the Social Security benefits that may be available if you are the survivor–that is, the spouse or child–of a worker who dies. That person must have worked long enough under Social Security to qualify for benefits.Select one of the links below to get additional information about
- benefits if you are the widow or widower.
- benefits if you are the surviving divorced spouse.
- benefits if you are the worker’s minor or disabled child.
- how much your benefits would be.
How you sign up for survivors benefits depends on whether or not you are getting other Social Security benefits at the time you apply.
Note: Since every person’s situation is different, you cannot apply for survivors benefits online.
Direct Cremation
