Learning the Fundamentals of Social Security Survivor’s Benefits Claim

General public opinion had generated the beliefdeposited directly in the account
that Social Security is designed exclusively forSome of the requirements mentioned above can
retirement. Contrary to this misconception, Socialbe dispensed with especially to those who have
Security System offers a variety of programsalready received Social Security benefits.
that cater not only benefits for retiring individualsHowever, it is essential to report the death with
but also programs providing assistance for thethe Social Security office so that update and
disabled including their dependents.changes of payment would be made.
This article focuses on Social Security program,With reference to the amount of survivor’s
particularly survivor’s benefits. Morebenefits, the same relatively depends on the
specifically, the article gives a thorough expositionearnings of the person who died. The more the
of the fundamentals of Social Securityworker paid into Social Security, the greater your
survivor’s benefits claims.benefits will be.
Foremost, a brief discussion about Social SecurityTake notice that, there is a limitation to the
survivor’s benefits is worthwhile.payment of benefits to the survivor members
Social Security survivor’s benefits areeach month. The limit varies, but is generally
designed to provide the much-needed income tobetween 150 and 180 percent of the
the surviving family members of a qualifieddeceased’s benefit amount.
decedent making their lives sustainable at least.More so, reduction of benefits can be halted on
Not just anybody can apply for this kind ofthe following situations:
benefits. The Social Security Administration had• To those who get a pension from work that
provided constitutive requirements for a survivorwas not covered by Social Security, like the
benefit claims.federal civil service, your Social Security benefit
The survivor’s eligibility is gauged based onmay be reduced.
the decedent’s earning record showing his• Those who are working and have been
work, payment of social security taxes andreceiving Social Security survivor’s benefits
earned work credits. The work credits are crucialand are younger than full retirement age, the
in this respect because it would be made thebenefits may be reduced if your earnings exceed
basis for the survivor’s entitlement of thiscertain limits.
particular kind of social security benefit.However, the reduction of benefits affects only
Worthy to note however, under a special rule, ifthe survivor concerned and not the benefits of
you are only "currently insured" at the time ofother family members.
your death and relatively have only 6 credits inA special rule applies to those who remarry.
the 13 quarters prior to your death, your childrenGenerally, widow or widower’s benefits are
and your spouse can still receive this benefits.not given to those who remarry before age 60.
On the other hand, if you have determined yourHowever, remarriage after age 60 (or age 50 if
qualifications for benefits it would be wise to applydisabled) will not hold the survivor from getting
promptly, especially if you are not yet a recipientbenefit payments based on the latter’s
of social security benefits. This is for the reasonformer spouse’s work.
that the benefits are paid from the time ofAt age 62 or older, the survivor may get benefits
application and not from the time that the workerbased on his/ her new spouse’s work, if the
died.benefits are higher.
The application for benefits generally requiresLike any other claim under the whole spectrum of
relevant information such as the following:Social Security, claimants are given the right to
• the proof of death;dispute the findings or decision of the Social
• Social Security number of the applicant asSecurity Administration.
well as the deceased worker;An appeal, to be specific, is given to the claimants.
• marriage certificate if applying as a divorcedThe latter process entails complex situations that
widow or widower;need another careful elaboration.
• dependent children’s social securityThe key thing in all types of claims is the right of
numbers if available including their birth certificates;the claimant to confer with a Social Security
• deceased worker’s W-2 forms orlawyer of their choice.
federal self-employment tax return for the mostFor credible information and expert representation
recent year; andon your survivor benefits claim, log on to our
• the name of the bank and account numberwebsite and seek the assistance of our Los
of the applicant so that the benefits can beAngeles Social Security attorneys.