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David Lerner Associates: Social Security Survivors Benefits

Although planning for what happens to your estate and your assets after you die is not something anyone likes to think about, it’s a necessary part of one’s financial planning. One of the factors in this plan is what survivors might receive from Social Security. Social Security survivor's benefits can provide much-needed income to the family and ensure that their financial life at a time of loss is easier.

Who is eligible to receive survivor's benefits?

It’s important to know the insured status in order to determine who will be eligible to receive Social Security survivor's benefits based on one’s earnings record. If the status is fully insured – 40 Social Security credits (quarters of coverage) – at the time of death, more survivors may be eligible for benefits than if the status were currently insured (having 6 credits during the last 13 quarters prior to death).

Fully insured

For those who are fully insured, survivor's benefits can protect family members who are most dependent on financial support. Benefits may be paid to the following family members:

  • A spouse
  • A divorced spouse
  • Dependent child or children or dependent parents

Currently insured

If the status is currently insured at the time of death, benefits may be paid to these family members only:

  • A spouse (only if caring for a dependent child)
  • A divorced spouse (only if caring for a dependent child)
  • Dependent child or children

The following table illustrates who may be eligible to receive survivor's benefits and under what conditions:

What benefits will your survivors receive after you die?

Your eligible surviving family member will receive a monthly benefit based on your primary insurance amount (PIA) unless the survivor is eligible for a greater benefit based on his or her own PIA. Survivor's benefits are expressed as a percentage of your PIA:

Survivor's benefits may be reduced for one or more of the following reasons:

Beneficiary is younger than normal retirement age when he or she elects to receive benefits

This factor affects the surviving spouse or the surviving divorced spouse of the worker. If the surviving spouse is at least normal retirement age, the benefit payable is 100 percent of the deceased worker's PIA. However, if the surviving spouse elects to receive benefits early (as early as age 60 or age 50 if disabled), the benefit payable will be reduced by 0.475 percent for each month between the month benefits begin and the month in which the spouse will reach normal retirement age. So, a surviving spouse with a normal retirement age of 66 who is age 61 will receive 71.5 percent of the deceased spouse's PIA instead of 100 percent (60 months x 0.475 = 28.5 percent reduction). If the surviving spouse is disabled, the benefit will never drop below 71.5 percent of the deceased spouse's PIA, even if the disabled spouse elects benefits at age 50.

Example(s): After Peter died at age 60, his wife, Patty, applied for survivor's benefits. She was 62. Because she elected to receive benefits 48 months before her normal retirement age, she was entitled to receive 77.2 percent of her deceased husband's PIA (48 months x 0.475 = 22.8 percent reduction).

Benefit is subject to the family maximum

Survivor's benefits may also be reduced if they exceed the family maximum benefit. This commonly happens when benefits to children are payable along with a benefit to a surviving spouse. Because the family maximum benefit generally ranges from 150 to 180 percent of the worker's PIA, a spouse's benefit combined with the benefits for two children could easily exceed the family maximum. In this case, the benefit for each family member will be reduced accordingly.

The survivor's earnings are more than the annual exempt amount

Benefits may be reduced when a surviving spouse's earned income exceeds the annual earnings exempt amount.

Benefits to eligible family members end when:

  • A surviving spouse entitled to parent's benefits remarries (unless the new spouse is another benefit-eligible individual).
  • A surviving spouse entitled to parent's benefits loses eligibility because the child attains age 16 or loses disability status.
  • A surviving divorced spouse remarries prior to age 60 (or age 50 if disabled). If the subsequent marriage ends, however, the spouse will again be eligible for benefits based on the deceased ex-spouse's earnings.
  • A dependent child turns 18 and is no longer enrolled in school. (If the child is enrolled full-time in secondary school, benefits may be payable to age 19.)
  • A dependent child marries (unless the child is over 18 and disabled and marries another benefit-eligible individual).
  • A dependent parent marries (unless parent marries another benefit-eligible individual).
  • The beneficiary dies.

Who is eligible to receive the Social Security lump-sum death benefit?

Upon your death, your surviving spouse living in the same household with you at the time of your death will receive a $255 lump-sum death benefit. If there is no surviving spouse, the death benefit will be split among your children who are eligible for benefits based on your PIA. In the event you have no surviving spouse or children, the benefit will not be paid.

Planning Tips for Social Security Survivor's Benefits:

When you have dependent children

If you have dependent children, check your Social Security record to make sure you are at least currently insured. If you die currently insured, your family might receive some income from survivor's benefits. If you are not currently insured, consider working to obtain the required credits.

When you have no dependent children but are married

If you have no dependent children and are nearing retirement, check your Social Security record to make sure you are fully insured. If you die fully insured, your spouse may receive some income from survivor's benefits when he or she turns age 60 (or age 50, if disabled).

When you have any family members who may be eligible for benefits on your Social Security record

Make sure your family members know your Social Security number and what benefits they may be entitled to when you die. To apply for benefits, your spouse may also need proof of marriage or divorce and copies of children's birth certificates.

IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES

Material contained in this article is provided for information purposes only and is not intended to be used in connection with the evaluation of any investments offered by David Lerner Associates, Inc. This material does not constitute an offer or recommendation to buy or sell securities and should not be considered in connection with the purchase or sale of securities.

To the extent that this material concerns tax matters, it is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, by a taxpayer for the purpose of avoiding penalties that may be imposed by law. Each taxpayer should seek independent advice from a tax professional based on his or her individual circumstances.

These materials are provided for general information and educational purposes based upon publicly available information from sources believed to be reliable– we cannot assure the accuracy or completeness of these materials. The information in these materials may change at any time and without notice.

Some of this material has been provided by Broadridge Investor Communications Solutions, Inc.

David Lerner Associates does not provide tax or legal advice. The information presented here is not specific to any individual's personal circumstances.
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