What happens to social security benefits when someone dies

One aspect of managing a loved one’s final affairs that most people aren’t familiar with is how to handle their last Social Security retirement benefits check. Surviving family members often incorrectly assume that the estate is entitled to keep the beneficiary’s final payment or that it can be spent on things like funeral expenses. The truth is that a senior’s last check usually must be returned to the Social Security Administration (SSA).

Understanding the Timing of Social Security Payments

Social Security retirement benefits are paid in the month following the month for which they are due. For example, a senior’s January benefit is received in February, February’s benefit is direct-deposited in March and so on. It’s important to understand that the SSA only pays benefits for a specific month if the beneficiary was alive for the entirety of that month.

For instance, if your mom received her SS payment on April 10 and she passes away on April 29, then her estate is allowed to keep that check because it is actually payment for the month of March. However, if her next check is automatically direct-deposited in May, it will need to be returned. This is because that check is for the month of April, and the SSA does not pay benefits for the month of a beneficiary’s death.

How to Notify Social Security of a Death

The SSA should be notified immediately upon the passing of a beneficiary. Most funeral homes will take care of this on behalf of the surviving family if they provide the late beneficiary’s Social Security number. Ultimately, however, it is the survivor's responsibility to ensure the death is reported as soon as possible, particularly if they are acting in the role of representative payee.

Report a death to Social Security by calling toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday or by visiting a local Social Security office. While the SSA has made many features and services available on their website, it is not currently possible to make a Social Security death notification online.

After a prolonged suspension of face-to-face services due to the coronavirus pandemic, local SSA offices have resumed in-person appointments. Scheduling appointments in advance is still strongly recommended, though. To find your local SSA field office’s contact information, visit SSA.gov.

Returning Social Security Payments After Death

Prompt notification allows the SSA to cease paying benefits as soon as possible, minimizing the likelihood of confusion over whether a late beneficiary’s last check must be returned or not. If the SSA does happen to make a payment for the month of a beneficiary’s death, do not spend it. If a deceased loved one received their benefits in check form, do not cash any checks for the month of their death or later. Instead, return them to the SSA as soon as possible.

If a late beneficiary had arranged for their payments to be directly deposited into a bank account, this can speed up the returns process significantly. However, countless surviving family members have unknowingly spent these final payments and been caught off guard when the amount of the payment is automatically withdrawn from the direct deposit account and returned to the SSA by the financial institution. Keep in mind that the SSA does not prorate the beneficiary’s payment for the month of death either.

According to the SSA, “If a benefit payment is received by direct deposit, contact the bank or other financial institution as soon as possible and ask them to return any funds received for the month of death or later.” Acting quickly will help surviving families avoid any financial confusion during an already difficult time.

Applying for Social Security Survivors Benefits

Reporting a beneficiary’s death is also an important step in determining if any surviving family members are entitled to benefits based on the beneficiary’s work history. In some cases, survivors benefits are not paid retroactively and a person must gather information and documents to apply, so don’t delay. For more information on survivors benefits and other Social Security programs, visit the SSA website.

Yes, you do. It’s a little confusing but not hard to figure out if you remember two things:

1. Social Security benefits are paid a month behind. April’s benefits are paid in May, May’s in June, and so on.
2. Social Security regulations require that a person live an entire month to receive benefits for that month.

Say your spouse received her benefits on May 9 and died on May 30. Her family or her estate is entitled to keep the payment that arrived on May 9 because it was for April’s benefits. In fact, they would be entitled to keep that money even if she had died the day before it arrived — again, because that payment was for April’s benefits.

But her survivors are not entitled to keep the May benefit scheduled to arrive in June, even though she was alive for all but one day of May. She was not alive for the entire month, and for benefit purposes that is the determining factor. If that May payment is made because Social Security was not notified promptly of the beneficiary’s death, it will have to be returned.

Keep in mind

• Most funeral homes will report a death to Social Security as part of their services. (Social Security provides a form for funeral directors to perform this function.) If you want this service, be sure to provide the funeral home with the deceased’s Social Security number.
• You can also report the death yourself, by calling Social Security at 800-772-1213 or contacting your local Social Security office. 

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