♠ Posted by Marc J. Soss in elder law,elder planning,estate planning,florida estate planning,Florida Retirement,Retirement Account Contributions,Sarasota attorney,Sarasota Tax Lawyer,Veteran assistance program at Tuesday, March 29, 2016
There are few upsides (maybe relief
from pain and suffering) to the death of a spouse. In order to ease the burden,
the U.S. government offers a few Social Security survivor benefits.
Survivor Benefits: The main benefit for a surviving spouse is that they may be
able to receive Social Security payments if their deceased spouse met the
requirements to qualify for Social Security retirement benefits. If both spouses
are collecting Social Security benefits, the surviving spouse will only receive
the larger benefit.
Others eligible for benefits
include: spouse of the deceased, aged 60 or older; spouse of the deceased, aged
50 or older, if disabled; spouse of the deceased at any age, if he or she is
caring for the deceased's child who is younger than 16 or disabled; an
unmarried child of the deceased who is younger than 18, or younger than 20 if
still a full-time student in elementary or secondary school or 18 or older and
with a disability that began before age 22; a stepchild, grandchild, step-grandchild,
or adopted child under certain circumstances; parents aged 62 or older, who
were dependent on the deceased for at least half of their support; and a
surviving divorced spouse, under certain circumstances.
Death Benefit: In
addition to the benefits described above, a surviving spouse may be eligible
for a one-time payment of $255.
Eligibility for the benefit requires the surviving spouse to have been living
with the deceased spouse, at their date of death, or, if living apart, to have
been receiving benefits based on the deceased spouse's Social Security record.
How to Claim Social Security Survivor
Benefits: In order to claim Social Security
survivor benefits you must inform the agency of the death of your spouse.
Typically, the funeral home will notify the Social Security Administration with
regard to the deceased. In order to contact
the Social Security Administration you must either visit your local Social
Security office or speak with the agency on the phone (at 800-772-1213). hen speaking
with them it is important to also inquire about: (i) survivor benefits; (ii) retirement
benefits; and (iii) eligibility for the one-time $255 lump-sum benefit.
