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Survivors benefits explained
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[August 24, 2011]
The
loss of a loved one can be painful. The death of a wage earner upon
whom a family depends also can be financially devastating.
If you’re like most young or
middle-aged workers, you probably think of Social Security only as a
retirement program. But some of the Social Security taxes you pay go
toward providing survivors insurance for workers and their families.
Think of it as a life insurance policy you never knew you had — paid
for by the same taxes that cover you for retirement or disability.
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When you die, certain members
of your family may be eligible for survivors benefits. These include
widows, widowers (and divorced widows and widowers), children, and
even dependent parents. In many cases, there also is a one-time
lump-sum payment of $255 that can be made to a surviving spouse or
minor children who meet certain requirements.
You may not think it will
happen to you, but the stunning truth is that one in eight of
today’s 20-year-olds will die before reaching their full retirement
age of 67. In fact, 98 of every 100 children could get benefits if a
working parent dies. More than 6.4 million survivors receive
benefits. The average Survivors benefit is $1,129 a month.
If you are a survivor, you
should apply for survivors benefit right away. You can apply by
telephone or at any Social Security office. Call us toll-free at
1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778). To help prepare you, here is
the information we will need:
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- Proof of death —
either from a funeral home or a death certificate;
- Your Social Security
number, as well as the deceased worker’s;
- Your birth
certificate;
- Your marriage
certificate, if you are a widow or widower;
- Your divorce papers,
if you are applying as a divorced widow or widower;
- Dependent children’s
Social Security numbers, if available, and birth certificates;
- Deceased worker’s W-2
forms or Federal self-employment tax return for the most recent
year; and
- The name of your bank
and your account number so your benefits can be deposited
directly into your account.
To learn more about
survivors benefits, please read the online publication at
www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10084.html.
Visit the Survivors page at
www.socialsecurity.gov/pgm/survivors.htm.
By Judith Bartels
Social Security District
Manager in Springfield, IL
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