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Friday July 30,2010

What you need to know about survivor benefits: Part 2

by Social Security Administration

How Do I 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. We will help you get it. We need either original documents or copies certified by the agency that issued them.

The information needed includes:

• proof of death?either from funeral home or death certificate;
• your Social Security number, as well as the worker's;
• your birth certificate;
• your marriage certificate if you're a widow or widower;
• your divorce papers if you're applying as a surviving divorced spouse;
• dependent children's Social Security numbers, if available;
• deceased worker's W-2 forms or federal self-employment tax return for the most recent year;
the name of your bank and your account number so your benefits can be directly deposited into your account.

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 us and we will change your payments to survivors benefits. If we need more information, we'll contact you.

If you're getting benefits on your own record, you'll need to complete an application to get survivors benefits. Call or visit us and we'll check to see if you can get more money 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 I Get?

The amount of your benefit is based on the earnings of the person who died. 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.

• widow or widower, age 65 or older-100 percent;
• widow or widower age, 60-64-about 71-94 percent;
• widow, any age, with a child under age 16-75 percent;
• 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 benefit as early as age 62.

This assumes you're eligible and your retirement rate is higher than your widow'(er) rate. 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 one of our representatives about the options available to you.