Survivors


                   U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
                                 Social Security Administration
                                   SSA Publication No. 05-10084
                                                 September 1993
                                                     ICN 468540 
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WHO SHOULD READ THIS BOOKLET?
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You should, if you're interested in the kinds of benefits
Social Security can provide when a family breadwinner dies.
This booklet is divided into two sections.  If you are
currently working, the first part tells you what kind of
survivors benefits your tax dollars are paying for and how
those benefits are earned.  If someone in your family has died,
the second part of the booklet explains how to sign up for
Social Security benefits and what you need to know after
benefits start.

PLEASE NOTE: This booklet provides a general overview of Social
Security survivors benefits.  The information it contains is
not intended to cover all provisions of the law.  For specific
information about your case, contact Social Security.
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WHAT'S INSIDE
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                                                           PAGE

PART 1--IF YOU'RE WORKING ... 
      WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SURVIVORS BENEFITS          
      "Life Insurance" From Social Security                    
      How You Earn Survivors Benefits                          
      Who Can Get Survivors Benefits?                          
      Special One-Time Death Benefit                           
      Benefits For Divorced Spouses                            
      How Much Are Benefits?                                   

PART 2--IF A LOVED ONE HAS DIED ... 
      WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SURVIVORS BENEFITS          
      How to Apply For Benefits                                
      How Much Will You Get?                                   
      Maximum Family Benefits                                  
      How Work May Affect Your Benefits                        
      If You Remarry                                           

A WORD ABOUT MEDICARE                                         

FOR MORE INFORMATION                                          

OTHER BOOKLETS AVAILABLE                                     
______________________________________________________________

                 PART 1--IF YOU'RE WORKING ...
        WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SURVIVORS BENEFITS

"LIFE INSURANCE" FROM SOCIAL SECURITY
_____________________________________

If you're like most people, you think only of retirement when
you think of Social Security.  But retirement checks are just
one of the Social Security benefits people can get.

   Part 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 commercial life insurance.

   When someone who has worked and paid into Social Security
dies, survivor benefits can be paid to certain family members.
These include widows, widowers (and divorced widows and
widowers), children, and dependent parents.

   You, along with millions of other people, earn survivors
insurance by working and paying Social Security taxes.  Right
now, 98 out of every 100 children could get benefits if a
working parent should die.  In fact, Social Security pays more
benefits to children than any other Federal program.

HOW YOU EARN SURVIVORS BENEFITS
_______________________________

When you die, certain members of your family may be eligible
for survivors benefits if you worked, paid Social Security
taxes, and earned enough "credits."  You can earn a maximum of
4 credits each year.  The number of credits you need depends on
your age when you die.  The younger a person is, the fewer
credits are needed to be eligible for survivors benefits but
nobody needs more than 40 credits (10 years of work) to be
eligible for any Social Security benefits. 

   Under a special rule, benefits can be paid to your children
and your spouse who is caring for the children even though you
don't have the number of credits needed.  They can get benefits
if you have credit for 1" years of work in the 3 years just
before your death.

WHO CAN GET SURVIVORS BENEFITS?
_______________________________

If you should die, Social Security survivors benefits can be
paid to your: 

o  Widow or widower full benefits at 65 or older or reduced
   benefits as early as 60.  A disabled widow or widower can
   get benefits at 50-60. 

o  Widow or widower at any age if she or he takes care of your
   child under 16 or disabled who gets benefits. 

o  Unmarried children under 18 (or up to age 19 if they are
   attending elementary or secondary school full time).  Your
   child can get benefits at any age if he or she was disabled
   before 22 and remains disabled.  Under certain
   circumstances, benefits can also be paid to your
   stepchildren or grandchildren. 

o  Dependent parents at 62 or older.

SPECIAL ONE-TIME DEATH BENEFIT
______________________________

When you die, there is a special one-time payment of $255 that
can be made if you have enough work "credits."  This payment
can be made only to your spouse or minor children if they meet
certain requirements.

BENEFITS FOR DIVORCED SPOUSES
_____________________________

If you've been divorced, your former wife or husband can get
benefits under the same circumstances as your widow or widower
if your marriage lasted 10 years or more.  Your former spouse,
however, does not have to meet the length-of-marriage rule if
she or he is caring for your child who is under 16 or disabled
and who is also getting benefits on your Social Security
record.

   Benefits paid to a divorced spouse who is 60 or older (50-60
if disabled) will not affect the benefit rates for other
survivors getting benefits.

HOW MUCH ARE BENEFITS?
______________________

How much your family can get from Social Security depends on
your average lifetime earnings.  Basically, that means the
higher your earnings, the higher their benefits will be.

   If you would like to get an estimate of the Social Security
survivors benefits that could be paid to your family, call or
visit Social Security to ask for a "Personal Earnings and
Benefit Estimate Statement."  It will show an estimate of
survivors benefits that could be paid, as well as estimates of
retirement and disability benefits and other important
information.  There's no charge for this service.
______________________________________________________________

             PART 2--IF A LOVED ONE HAS DIED ... 
        WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SURVIVORS BENEFITS

HOW TO APPLY FOR BENEFITS
_________________________

How you sign up for survivors benefits depends on whether or
not you're getting other Social Security benefits.
  IF YOU AREN'T GETTING SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS 

   You should apply for survivors benefits promptly because,
   in some cases, benefits may not be retroactive.  You can apply
   by telephone or at any Social Security office.

      We need certain information to process your application. 
   It's helpful if you have it when you apply.  But don't delay
   applying if you don't have everything.  The people at Social
   Security will help you get it.  We need either original
   documents or copies certified by the agency that issued them.

   The information needed includes: 

   o  Your Social Security number, as well as the worker's; 

   o  Your birth certificate; 

   o  Your marriage certificate if you're a widow or widower; 

   o  Your divorce papers if you're applying as a divorced
      spouse;
   
   o  Children's birth certificates; 

   o  Children's Social Security numbers, if available; 

   o  Deceased worker's W-2 forms or Federal self-employment tax 
      return for the most recent year;

   o  Your checkbook or savings passbook if you want your
      benefits deposited directly into your account.  (Direct
      deposit is safer and more convenient for you and more
      efficient and economical for the Government.)

   IF YOU'RE ALREADY GETTING SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS

   If you're getting benefits as a wife or husband on your
   spouse's record when he or she dies, you should report the
   death to Social Security and we will change your payments to
   survivors benefits.  If we need more information, we'll
   contact you for it.

      If you're getting benefits on your own record, you'll need
   to complete an application to get survivors benefits.  Call or
   visit Social Security and we'll check to see if you can get
   more as a widow or widower.  We'll need to see your spouse's
   death certificate to process your claim.
    Benefits for any children will automatically be changed to
   survivors benefits after the death is reported to us.  We'll
   contact you if we need more information.

HOW MUCH WILL YOU GET?
______________________

The amount of your benefit is based on the earnings of the
person who died.  Basically, the more he or she paid into
Social Security, the higher your benefits will be.

   The amount you will get is a percentage of the deceased's
basic Social Security benefit.  The percentage depends on your
age and the type of benefit you are eligible for.  Here are the
most typical situations. 

o  Widow or widower age 65 or older:  100 percent 
o  Widow or widower age 60-64:  About 71-94 percent 
o  Widow any age with a child under age 16:  75 percent 
o  Children:  75 percent

MAXIMUM FAMILY BENEFITS
_______________________

There is a limit to the amount of money that can be paid to you
and other family members each month.  The limit varies, but is
generally equal to about 150 to 180 percent of the deceased's
benefit rate.  If the sum of the benefits payable to the family
members is greater than this limit, the benefits will be
reduced proportionately.

   RETIREMENT BENEFITS FOR WIDOW(ERS)

   If you are receiving widows or widowers (including divorced
   widows or widowers) benefits, you should remember that you can
   switch to your own retirement benefits (assuming you're
   eligible and your retirement rate is higher than your widow's
   rate) as early as age 62.  In many cases, a widow(er) can
   begin receiving one benefit at a reduced rate and then switch
   to the other benefit at an unreduced rate at age 65.  The
   rules are complicated and vary depending on your situation, so
   you should talk to a Social Security representative about the
   options available to you.

HOW WORK MAY AFFECT YOUR BENEFITS
_________________________________

If you get Social Security survivors benefits, the amount of
your benefits may be reduced if your earnings exceed certain
limits.  To find out what the limits are this year and how
earnings above those limits reduce your Social Security
benefits, contact Social Security to request the factsheet,
"How Work Affects Your Social Security Benefits" (Publication
No. 05-10069).  There's no limit once you reach 70.

   Your earnings will reduce only your survivors benefits, not
the benefits of other family members.

IF YOU REMARRY
______________

In general, you can't get survivors benefits if you remarry.
But, remarriage after 60 (50 if disabled) will not prevent
benefit payments on your former spouse's record.  And, at 62 or
older, you may get benefits on the record of your new spouse if
they are higher.
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                     A WORD ABOUT MEDICARE

Medicare is a health insurance plan for people who are 65 or
older.  People who are disabled or have kidney failure also can
get Medicare.

   Medicare has two parts--hospital insurance and medical
insurance.  Most people have both parts.

   Hospital insurance, sometimes called Part A, covers
inpatient hospital care and certain follow-up care.  The worker
already paid for it as part of his or her Social Security taxes
while he or she was working.

   Medical insurance, sometimes called Part B, pays for
physicians' services and some other services not covered by
hospital insurance.  Medical insurance is optional, and a
premium is charged.

   Most people are already getting Social Security benefits
when they turn 65, and their Medicare starts automatically.
Others must file an application.  For more information, call us
to ask for the booklet, "Medicare" (Publication No. 05-10043).
  HELP FOR LOW-INCOME MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES

   If you get Medicare and have low income and few resources,
   your State may pay your Medicare premiums and, in some cases,
   other "out-of-pocket" Medicare expenses such as deductibles
   and coinsurance.  Only your State can decide if you qualify. 
   To find out if you do, contact your State or local welfare
   office or Medicaid agency.  For more general information about
   the program, contact Social Security and ask for a copy of the
   factsheet, "Help For Low-Income Medicare Beneficiaries"
   (Publication No. 05-10079).
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                     FOR MORE INFORMATION

For more information or to apply for benefits, call or visit
Social Security.  It's easiest to call Social Security's toll-
free telephone number.  The number is 1-800-772-1213.  You can
speak to a representative 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. each business day.
The best times to call are early in the morning, early in the
evening, late in the week, and toward the end of the month.

   The Social Security Administration treats all calls
confidentially--whether they're made to our toll-free numbers
or to one of our local offices.  We also want to ensure that
you receive accurate and courteous service.  That is why we
have a second Social Security representative monitor some
incoming and outgoing telephone calls.
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                  OTHER BOOKLETS AVAILABLE

Social Security has a number of publications that contain
information about other Social Security programs.  Contact
Social Security to get a free copy of any of these
publications.  They include:

o  "Understanding Social Security" (Publication No. 05-10024)-
   -A comprehensive explanation of all the Social Security
   programs. 

o  "Retirement" (Publication No. 05-10035)--Explains Social
   Security retirement benefits. 

o  "Disability" (Publication No. 05-10029)--Explains Social
   Security disability benefits. 

o  "Medicare" (Publication No. 05-10043)--Explains Medicare
   hospital insurance and medical insurance.

o  "SSI" (Publication No. 05-11000)--Explains this program
   which provides a basic income to people 65 or older,
   disabled, or blind who have limited income and resources.

o  "Social Security And SSI Benefits For Children With
   Disabilities" (Publication No. 05-10026)--Explains benefits
   available to children with disabilities.

All these publications are available in Spanish.
