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Report the death of a Social Security or Medicare beneficiary

When someone who receives Social Security or Medicare dies, you must notify the Social Security Administration (SSA) to cancel their benefits and payments.

How to report a death to Social Security and Medicare

The SSA handles death reports for both Social Security and Medicare recipients. To report a death, you can do one of the following:

• Provide the deceased person's Social Security number to the funeral director so they can report the death to the SSA.
• SSA only accepts reports of death by phone or in person. They do not accept reports by email or online. 
• If you report the death to SSA yourself instead of through a funeral director, you may do so without the deceased person’s death certificate to begin the process. But you will need it later to complete the report.

How to return a deceased person’s Social Security payment

The SSA cannot pay benefits for the month of a recipient’s death. That means if the person died in July, the check or direct deposit received in August (which is payment for July) must be returned.

• Find out how to return a check to the SSA.
• If the payment is by direct deposit, notify the financial institution as soon as possible. Ask them to return the payment for the month the recipient died and any that arrived later.

Find out what other government agencies and programs to notify after someone dies.

Find more resources to help you settle your loved one's affairs.

Death of a loved one

LAST UPDATED: September 22, 2023

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Social Security

If you are the survivor ( en español ), if you are the survivor.

Just as you plan for your family's protection if you die, you should consider the Social Security benefits that may be available if you are the survivor — that is, the spouse, child, or parent of a worker who dies. That person must have worked long enough under Social Security to qualify for benefits.

How Your Spouse Earns Social Security Survivors Benefits

A worker can earn up to 4 credits each year . In 2023, for example, your spouse can earn 1 credit for each $1,640 of wages or self-employment income. When your spouse has earned $6,560 they have earned their 4 credits for the year.

The number of credits needed to provide benefits for survivors depends on the worker's age when they die. No one needs more than 40 credits (10 years of work) to be eligible for any Social Security benefit. But, the younger a person is, the fewer credits they must have for family members to receive survivors benefits.

Some survivors can get benefits if the worker has credit for 1 and 1/2 years of work (6 credits) in the 3 years just before their death. Each person’s situation is different and you need to talk to one of our claims representatives about your choices.

When a Family Member Dies

We should be notified as soon as possible when a person dies. However, you cannot report a death or apply for survivors benefits online .

If you need to report a death or apply for benefits, call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778 ). You can speak to one of our representatives between 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. You can also contact your local Social Security office .

Do we pay death benefits?

A one-time lump-sum death payment of $255 can be paid to the surviving spouse if they were living with the deceased. If living apart and they were receiving certain Social Security benefits on the deceased’s record, they may be eligible for the lump-sum death payment.

If there is no surviving spouse, the payment is made to a child who is eligible for benefits on the deceased’s record in the month of death.

What happens if the deceased received monthly benefits?

If the deceased was receiving Social Security benefits, you must return the benefit received for the month of death and any later months.

For example, if the person died in July, you must return the benefits paid in August. How you return the benefits depends on how the deceased received benefits:

• For funds received by direct deposit, contact the bank or other financial institution. Request that any funds received for the month of death or later be returned to us.
• Benefits received by check must be returned to us as soon as possible. Do not cash any checks received for the month in which the person dies or later.

Who receives benefits?

Certain family members may be eligible to receive monthly benefits, including a/an:

• Surviving spouse age 60 or older (age 50 or older if they have a disability).
• Surviving divorced spouse, under certain circumstances.
• Surviving spouse at any age who is caring for the deceased’s child who is under age 16 or has a disability and receiving child’s benefits.
• Unmarried child of the deceased who is one of the following:
• Younger than age 18 (or up to age 19 if they are a full-time student in an elementary or secondary school).
• Age 18 or older with a disability that began before age 22.

Are other family members eligible?

Under certain circumstances, the following family members may be eligible:

• A stepchild, grandchild, step grandchild, or adopted child.
• Parents, age 62 or older, who were dependent on the deceased for at least half of their support.

Surviving Spouse

If you are the surviving spouse of a person who worked long enough under Social Security, you can:

• Receive reduced benefits as early as age 60.
• Begin to receive benefits as early as age 50 if you have a disability and the disability started before or within 7 years of the worker's death.
• Receive survivors benefits at any age, if you have not remarried and you take care of the deceased worker's child who is under age 16 or has a disability and receives child’s benefits.

If you remarry after you reach age 60 (age 50 if you have a disability), your remarriage will not affect your eligibility for survivors benefits.

• A surviving spouse or surviving divorced spouse cannot apply online for survivors benefits. You should contact us at 1-800-772-1213 to request an appointment. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, call our TTY number at 1-800-325-0778 .
• If you wish to apply for disability benefits as a survivor, you can speed up the disability application process if you complete an Adult Disability Report and have it available at the time of your appointment.
• We use the same definition of disability for surviving spouses as we do for workers.

A few other situations:

• If you already receive benefits as a spouse, your benefit will automatically convert to survivors benefits after we receive the report of death.
• If you are also eligible for retirement benefits, but haven't applied yet, you have an additional option. You can apply for retirement or survivors benefits now and switch to the other (higher) benefit later.
• For those already receiving retirement benefits, you can only apply for benefits as a surviving spouse if the retirement benefit you receive is less than the benefits you would receive as a survivor.

Surviving Divorced Spouse

If you are the divorced spouse of a worker who dies, you could get benefits the same as a surviving spouse, provided that your marriage lasted 10 years or more .

Benefits paid to you as a surviving divorced spouse won't affect the benefit amount for other survivors getting benefits on the worker's record.

If you remarry after you reach age 60 (age 50 if you have a disability), the remarriage will not affect your eligibility for survivors benefits.

If you are caring for a child under age 16 or who has a disability and the child get benefits on the record of your former spouse, you would not have to meet the length-of-marriage rule. The child must be your former spouse's natural or legally adopted child.

Minor or Child with a Disability

If you are the unmarried child under age 18 of a worker who dies, you can be eligible to receive Social Security survivors benefits. You can also be eligible, if you are up to age 19 and attending elementary or secondary school full time.

And you can get benefits at any age if you have a qualifying disability that began before age 22 and remains the same .

Besides the worker's natural children, their stepchildren, grandchildren , step-grandchildren, or adopted children may receive benefits under certain circumstances.

For Your Parents

If you are the dependent parent, who is at least age 62, of a worker who dies, you may be eligible to receive Social Security survivors benefits.

You must have been receiving at least half of your support from your working child. Also, you must not be eligible to receive a retirement benefit that is higher than the benefit we could pay on your child’s record. Generally, you must not have married after your deceased adult child’s death. However, there are some exceptions .

Besides being the natural parent, you could also be the stepparent, or the adoptive parent if you became the deceased worker’s parent before they were age 16.

Survivors Benefit Amount

We base your survivors benefit amount on the earnings of the person who died. The more they paid into Social Security, the higher your benefits would be.

These are examples of the benefits that survivors may receive:

• Surviving spouse, full retirement age or older — 100% of the deceased worker's benefit amount.
• Surviving spouse, age 60 — through full retirement age — 71½ to 99% of the deceased worker's basic amount.
• Surviving spouse with a disability aged 50 through 59 — 71½%.
• Surviving spouse, any age, caring for a child under age 16 — 75%.
• A child under age 18 (age 19 if still in elementary or secondary school) or who has a disability — 75%.
• Dependent parent(s) of the deceased worker, age 62 or older receive:
• One surviving parent — 82½%.
• Two surviving parents — 75% to each parent.

Percentages for a surviving divorced spouse would be the same as above.

There may also be a special lump-sum death benefit .

Maximum Family Amount

There's a limit to the amount that family members can receive each month. The limit varies , but it is generally equal to between 150% and 180% of the basic benefit rate.

If the sum of the benefits payable to family members is greater than this limit, the benefits will be reduced proportionately. Any benefits paid to a surviving divorced spouse based on disability or age won't count toward this maximum amount.

Other Things You Need to Know

There are limits on how much survivors may earn while they receive benefits.

Benefits for a surviving spouse or surviving divorced spouse may be affected by several additional factors:

• If you remarry before age 60 (age 50 if you have a disability), you cannot receive benefits as a surviving spouse while you are married.
• If you remarry after age 60 (age 50 if you have a disability), you will continue to qualify for benefits on your deceased spouse's Social Security record.
• If you receive benefits as a surviving spouse or surviving divorced spouse, you can switch to your own retirement benefit as early as age 62. This assumes you are eligible for retirement benefits and your retirement rate is higher than your rate as a surviving spouse or surviving divorced spouse.
• In many cases, a surviving spouse can begin receiving one benefit at a reduced rate and allow the other benefit amount to increase.
• If you will also receive a pension based on work not covered by Social Security, such as government or foreign work, your Social Security benefits as a survivor may be affected .

A Special Lump-Sum Death Payment

A surviving spouse or child may receive a special lump-sum death payment of $255 if they meet certain requirements.

Generally, the lump-sum is paid to the surviving spouse who was living in the same household as the worker when they died. If they were living apart, the surviving spouse can still receive the lump-sum if, during the month the worker died, they met one of the following:

• Were already receiving benefits on the worker's record.
• Became eligible for benefits upon the worker's death.

If there's no eligible surviving spouse, the lump-sum can be paid to the worker's child (or children) if, during the month the worker died, the child met one of the following:

• Was already receiving benefits on the worker's record.

If the eligible surviving spouse or child is not currently receiving benefits, they must apply for this payment within 2 years of the date of death.

For more information about this lump-sum payment, contact your local Social Security office or call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778 ).

Social Security

Frequently asked questions, what should i do when someone dies.

Notify Social Security as soon as possible when someone getting benefits dies. In most cases, the funeral director will report the person’s death to Social Security. Give the funeral director the deceased’s Social Security number so he or she can report the death. 

See How Social Security Can Help You When A Family Member Dies for more information.

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How to Report Death to Social Security and Get a Credit Report for a Deceased Person

Highlights:.

• When a loved one dies, it’s important to inform the Social Security Administration (SSA), especially if the deceased was receiving Social Security benefits at the time of their passing.
• The SSA may offer survivor benefits to qualifying family members of the deceased person who was collecting or was eligible to collect Social Security payments at the time of their death.
• Credit reports can be a helpful tool when accounting for the debts and assets of someone who has died. They also provide a valuable opportunity to monitor the deceased’s credit history for signs of identity theft.

When organizing the financial affairs of a loved one who has died, you may not be aware of these important to-dos: Reporting your loved one’s death to the Social Security Administration (SSA), checking your eligibility for survivor benefits and obtaining a copy of the deceased’s credit reports.

Here’s how to tackle these important financial tasks.

How to report a death to the Social Security Administration

When a loved one dies, someone must inform the SSA. This is especially important if the deceased was receiving Social Security benefits at the time of their passing. Reporting a death to the SSA is an essential step in settling a deceased person’s financial affairs. It can also help better protect the deceased’s identity from fraud or theft.

Funeral home directors typically report your loved one’s death on your behalf. However, the responsibility for reporting ultimately lies with any surviving loved ones. If you need to report the death yourself, you can call the SSA at 800-772-1213 (TTY: 800-325-0778). The SSA does not allow you to report a loved one’s death online, but many states have their own web-based systems to help surviving loved ones navigate the process.

If your loved one was receiving Social Security payments at the time of death, you must be sure to return any money received for the month in which they died and in any of the following months. It is illegal to cash Social Security checks received after your loved one’s passing.

Once the death has been reported to the SSA, you will be able to review your eligibility for survivor benefits .

What are survivor benefits?

Survivor benefits are a form of monthly monetary support provided by the SSA. They are available to qualifying family members of a deceased person who was collecting or was eligible to collect Social Security payments at the time of their death.

Survivor benefits are calculated as a percentage based on the amount the deceased received or was eligible to receive, the age of the surviving beneficiary and other factors. For example, a surviving spouse at full retirement age may be eligible for 100% of the deceased’s Social Security benefits, while a 60-year-old surviving spouse may only receive around 70%.

It’s important to note that the SSA also offers a one-time, lump-sum death payment of $255 to a qualifying spouse or child of the deceased. Survivor benefits are distinct from this payment, and accepting one of these payments will not disqualify you from receiving ongoing survivor benefits.

Who is eligible for Social Security survivor benefits?

Survivor benefits may be paid to:

• Surviving spouse's age 60 and older
• Disabled surviving spouses age 50 and older
• Surviving spouses caring for the deceased’s children who are under age 16 or who have a disability
• Divorced spouses married to the deceased for at least 10 years
• Unmarried children of the deceased under age 18
• Unmarried children of the deceased over age 18 with a disability that occurred before age 22

In certain circumstances, parents, stepchildren, grandchildren, step-grandchildren and adopted children may also qualify.

You can review your application for survivor benefits in person at your local Social Security office or by phone at 800-772-1213.

How to notify Equifax of your loved one’s death

Once you have informed the SSA of your loved one’s death, it’s also important to inform all three nationwide consumer reporting agencies (NCRAs) — Equifax ® , Transunion ® and Experian ® .

The NCRAs are typically notified of a death by the SSA. If they aren’t, you’ll need to contact at least one of them yourself. Once the NCRAs are aware that your loved one has died, they’ll add something called a death notice to the deceased’s credit reports. This notice prevents lenders from issuing new credit in the deceased’s name.

When one of the NCRAs adds a deceased notice to a person’s credit file, it will notify the other two, eliminating the need for you to contact all three NCRAs. You can find out how to notify Equifax by clicking here .

How to get a credit report for a deceased person

Credit reports can be a helpful tool when accounting for the debts and assets of someone who has died. They also provide a valuable opportunity to monitor the deceased’s credit history for unusual activity or other signs of identity theft.

To obtain a deceased person’s credit reports , a surviving spouse or an executor or administrator of the estate must contact each NCRA and provide the following information and documents:

• The deceased’s name, address, Social Security number and dates of birth and death
• A copy of the death certificate or a letter of testamentary, an official legal document authorizing the executor to manage the deceased’s estate
• Your name and address
• A document that proves you’re authorized to act as the deceased’s personal representative, such as a letter of testamentary.

Once received, credit reports can be used to compile a detailed list of the deceased’s open accounts, debts and creditors. Such a list can help streamline the process of settling your loved one’s financial affairs, allowing you and other survivors to mourn in peace.

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How do I report the death of a Social Security beneficiary?

In most cases, funeral directors can report deaths to the Social Security Administration (SSA) as part of their client services; Social Security provides a form for this purpose. In addition, vital-statistics offices in most states have implemented Electronic Death Registration, a web-based system that aims to deliver death information to SSA with greater speed and accuracy. 

However, it is ultimately the survivor or survivors’ responsibility to ensure that Social Security is notified of a beneficiary’s death, as soon as possible. You can do so by calling Social Security at 800-772-1213 or contacting your local Social Security office . 

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A representative payee  — a person or organization appointed by Social Security to manage benefit payments for someone no longer able to do so — is also responsible for reporting a beneficiary’s death as part of their larger duty to notify Social Security of any event affecting that person’s payments.

Benefits end in the month of the beneficiary’s death, regardless of the date, because under Social Security regulations a person must live an entire month to qualify for benefits. There is no prorating of a final benefit for the month of death. If Social Security pays the deceased's benefit for that month because it was not notified of the death in time, the survivors or representative payee will have to return the money .

Keep in mind

The death of a someone who was receiving or eligible for Social Security on his or her own work record triggers a one-time payment of $255  (often called the “burial benefit” or “death benefit”) to a surviving spouse who was living with the deceased or collecting Social Security benefits on the deceased’s record. If there is no surviving spouse, the $255 would go to any child who qualifies for benefits  on the deceased’s record.

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How Does Social Security Work When a Spouse Dies?

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How to Report a Death to Social Security

When a close friend or family member dies, there are a lot of things you have to deal with — funeral planning , dealing with the person’s estate and, of course, managing your own grief. One important task you may not think of right away is to notify the Social Security Administration of their death. One of your questions may be how to report a death to Social Security. Follow these steps to report the death of a loved one. For help navigating this process, consider working with a financial advisor .

Step One: Contact the Social Security Administration

Talk to the funeral director who oversees the arrangements for your loved one. It is often the case that the funeral director’s services include contacting Social Security as part of their contract. If so, then be sure they have all the pertinent information about your loved one like name, Social Security number and date of birth. The funeral director will also need the contact information for the deceased’s spouse. The funeral director will need to complete Form SSA-721.

If the funeral director does not report the death, you need to know how to report a death to Social Security. You must either visit your nearest Social Security office or call the Social Security Administration . You can’t make the report online. The Social Security Administration is open from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. regardless of your time zone. Since the customary practice is for the funeral director to report a death, make sure they have the Form SSA-721. If you must report the death, call the Social Security Administration and they will advise you what documents they need for you to bring to them.

Step Two: Send the Social Security Administration a Copy of the Death Certificate

It often takes some time to receive the decedent’s death certificate from your state authorities. You can still call in the death and then complete the process by forwarding the death certificate to Social Security when you receive it. However, the funeral director will very possibly handle this for you along with reporting the death.

Step Three: Send Back Any Checks Received After Death Except for the Death Benefit

If your loved one received Social Security benefits of any kind, don’t keep any benefit checks received after their death. For example, if the decedent dies in March and then receives an April Social Security check, send it back to the Social Security Administration. Send the checks back intact. Do not cash them. If they have direct deposit, talk to the bank and arrange for those funds to be returned to the Social Security Administration until they have time to process the death of the recipient. They must not only receive your phone call reporting the death, but also the death certificate before the death can be processed.

After the death is processed, the surviving spouse will receive a death benefit check for $255. If there is no surviving spouse, but there are surviving children who are eligible to receive benefits on the decedent’s record during the month in which they died, they may receive the death benefit.

Who Gets Social Security Benefits Off the Decedent’s Record?

If your loved one has worked long enough to be a part of the Social Security system, some survivors may be eligible for survivor’s benefits . They are:

• A widow or widower after they reach age 60 or age 50 if disabled
• A surviving divorced spouse, under certain circumstances
• A widow or widower at any age who is caring for the decedent’s child under the age of 16 or if a child is disabled and receiving children’s benefits
• A child of the decedent who is unmarried and has been disabledsince before the age 22.
• A child of the decedent who is younger than age 18
• A child of the decedent who is younger than age 19 and a full-time student in an elementary or secondary school
• A grandchild, stepchild, step-grandchild or adopted child, under certain circumstances
•  Parents, age 62 or older, dependent upon the deceased person for more than half their income

Check with the Social Security Administration before you make any assumptions about who receives benefits after a loved one dies since there are certain circumstances attached to many of these beneficiaries. Even though you cannot report a death online, you can apply for benefits online. If the deceased has not yet received Social Security benefits, the appropriate course of action is to go online and apply at the Social Security website  after the death has been recorded.

The Bottom Line

If a loved one has died, the death must be recorded by the Social Security Administration through reporting by either the funeral director or you. Neither the death benefit or any survivor’s benefits can be paid until reporting is done and the death certificate is submitted. This procedure should help make the process a little easier.

Social Security Tips

• A financial advisor can help you understand your Social Security situation. Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals , get started now .
• If you want to calculate your Social Security benefits, use SmartAsset’s Social Security calculator.

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Report a death

To report the death of a person with Medicare:

• Make sure you have the person's Social Security Number. 
• Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778).

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Reporting the Death of a Social Security Beneficiary: The Importance of Timely Reporting

01/07/2023 | Latest News

Losing a loved one is a difficult experience, and amidst the emotional challenges, certain administrative responsibilities need to be addressed. When a Social Security beneficiary passes away, it is vital to report their death to the Department of Social Security at the earliest possible. Failing to do so can result in difficulties, such as having to return overpaid benefits or missing out on Social Security benefits that the survivor might be eligible for.

Certain procedures must be followed when reporting a death of a Social Security beneficiary. The primary method of reporting is by submitting a copy of the original death certificate which serves as evidence of the individual’s death. Since this official document may take between 3 to 6 weeks to be issued, the burial certificate issued by the Parish Priest is also accepted. Reporting the death at the earliest is crucial to prevent the inadvertent continuation of benefit payments and to initiate necessary actions for any survivors. The death can be reported by any relative or other person, provided that the original death certificate is available.

Failing to report the death of a Social Security beneficiary can lead to significant issues. Firstly, since Social Security benefits are generally paid in advance, any payments received after the beneficiary’s death must be returned. It is essential to avoid receiving benefits meant for a deceased individual.

Secondly, reporting the death is crucial for survivors who, apart from being responsible for reporting the death, may be eligible for Social Security survivor benefits. To determine eligibility for Social Security survivor benefits, individuals need to report the death to the Department of Social Security. Reporting the death also initiates the eligible applications processes, allowing potential survivors to begin their claim.

It is highly important, that should the surviving spouse be eligible for benefits, the bank account details that is to be provided for any payments, must not be a joint account which was shared with the beneficiary who passed away. Such accounts are automatically closed off by the bank involved upon a death being reported.

In addition to reporting the death to the Department of Social Security, Maltese citizens deaths must also be registered with Identity Malta. This registration ensures that all official records are updated accordingly and prevents any potential complications related to legal and administrative matters.

By notifying the Department of Social Security, individuals can avoid legal issues arising from the continuation of benefit payments after a beneficiary’s passing. While potential survivors can initiate the process of applying for Social Security survivor benefits, providing them with the financial support they may need during a challenging time. Remember, in times of loss, it is essential to address both the emotional and administrative aspects, ensuring a smooth transition for all parties involved.

You may report the death of a Social Security beneficiary online or by visiting a servizz.gov hub.

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How to notify the Social Security Administration of a death

While this time is often stressful and upsetting, there are tasks that you must complete in a timely manner. One of those is notifying the Social Security Administration (SSA) of the passing of your loved one.

Who to Notify After a Death

When your loved one passes away, it's crucial you notify some key parties within the first few days. This list may include employers, health care providers, lawyers and financial institutions — anywhere that your loved one might have had insurance policies and accounts — as well as the SSA.

Typically, your funeral home can help. Many funeral directors will offer to fill out the proper forms and notify SSA of the death as part of their services; all you need to do is provide your loved one's Social Security number.

However, ultimately, it is up to you to ensure this happens. Note that you can't report a death online, but you can contact your local SSA Office or call 1-800-772-1213 to speak with a representative from the office who can help.

What happens to Social Security payments after death?

If the death isn't reported, any payments collected from the SSA for the month your loved one passed or later must be paid back to the government. Any payments received the month of death or later should be left uncashed if made by check, or returned directly if received by direct deposit. Check the Social Security Administration website for details. K eeping these payments is considered fraudulent.

What are Social Security death benefits?

If your loved one was collecting benefits from the SSA, you as a surviving spouse or child, may be eligible for a Social Security death benefit .

The benefit is a smaller percentage of the monthly benefit your loved one was collecting. It's calculated depending on how many years your loved one worked, his or her average income, and his or her age at death, among other factors.

Social Security death benefits may be collected by the surviving unmarried widow or widower, older disabled children, minor children or dependent parents. In some instances, surviving divorced spouses, step-children, step-grandchildren and grandchildren may be eligible.

The SSA offers two types of benefits to eligible survivors, a one-time lump sum payment and an ongoing monthly payment called a survivor benefit.

Here's more on each of these options:

Social Security death benefits for children

An unmarried child who is under 18, or 18 if he or she is still in secondary school as a full-time student, or over 18 if he or she became disabled before the age of 22, can qualify for a death benefit.

Social Security spousal death benefits

A current spouse, married for at least nine months, and is at least age 60, as well as former spouses married at least 10 years, age 62 or over and not remarried can qualify for a death benefit. It's possible that former spouses who did remarry but then divorced again can qualify, as well.

Lump sum benefit

The spouse who was living in the same home at the time of death qualifies for a one-time lump sum death benefit of $255. If there is no spouse, then that payment can go to a surviving dependent minor child, usually under the age of 18.

Other frequently asked questions about reporting a death to Social Security

You may have questions as you begin the process of reporting a death to the SSA. Here are answers to some other frequently asked questions you may find helpful.

How long do you have to report a death to Social Security?

You have up to two years to after the date to death to report a death to Social Security in order for an eligible spouse or child to receive benefits.

What documents are needed to report a death to the Social Security Administration?

The individual reporting the death must have the deceased’s Social Security number, their own Social Security number, a death certificate and proof of the deceased’s earnings for the previous year.

When a person dies does Social Security stop?

Social Security benefits stop in the month of the deceased’s death and should be repaid if received after that time. A qualified beneficiary must live an entire month prior to receiving payments they may be eligible for based on the deceased’s death.

Starting the life insurance claims process with Protective

After the passing of your loved one, Protective customers can begin the death claims process with Protective. We're here to help you every step of the way.

Simply click this link to begin the process. Once Protective is notified of the death of your loved one, the claims process begins. From there, Protective will contact you and help guide you through the next steps of the process.

The passing of a loved one is never easy, but the more you can learn about the reporting process now the better off you'll be when the time comes.

To learn more about the claims process or get guidance on common questions, you can read these Frequently Asked Questions .

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'You only get Social Security while you're alive,' expert says. What happens to benefits after you die

• Like the saying goes, "You can't take it with you."
• But while your Social Security benefits stop when you die, your surviving loved ones may still be able to claim checks on your record.
• Here's how your Social Security benefits may continue after your death.

Social Security retirement benefits provide guaranteed monthly income for the duration of your retirement.

But when you die, your checks stop coming .

"You only get Social Security while you're alive," said Bruce Tannahill, a director of estate and business planning with MassMutual.

Surveys show retirees are tempted to claim benefits as early as possible to get the most out of the program.

But financial advisors typically suggest the opposite — waiting to claim to get the biggest benefit. That way, you get the biggest monthly checks potentially available to you.

"People need to take into account how important Social Security is in their estate planning," said Jim Blair, vice president of Premier Social Security Consulting and a former Social Security administrator.

More from Personal Finance: How a federal government shutdown may affect Social Security and Medicare The 3 biggest retirement rollover mistakes and how to avoid penalties This purchase may be a 'grenade' to a well-planned retirement

For example, if you claim retirement benefits at age 62, your benefits are reduced, and so are the survivor benefits that become available when you die, Blair said. If you wait to claim benefits until age 70, the maximum age until which you can delay monthly Social Security retirement checks and see your benefits increase, the survivor benefit is also increased.

What's more, that added income may help you preserve other assets that you can leave behind.

"Your other wealth you can pass on to your spouse and other children and your loved ones," Tannahill said.

There are some key takeaways to know about what happens to Social Security benefits in the event you or a loved one passes away.

1. There is a one-time death payment

A one-time lump-sum death payment of $255 may be available, provided certain requirements are met.

For example, a surviving spouse may be eligible for the death payment if they were living with the person who passes away.

If the spouse was living apart from the deceased, but was receiving Social Security benefits based on their record, they may also be eligible for the $255 sum.

If there is no surviving spouse, children of the deceased may instead be eligible for the payment, so long as they qualify to receive benefits on their deceased parent's record when they died.

The Social Security Administration should be notified as soon as possible when a beneficiary dies to cancel their benefits. Funeral homes often report a death to the agency. But it would be wise to also report it to the Social Security Administration, Blair said.

2. Benefits for the month of death must be returned

Though a one-time death payment may be available, any benefit payments received by the deceased in the month of death or after must be returned, according to the Social Security Administration.

However, how this rule is handled depends on the timing of the death.

Social Security checks are paid for the benefits earned the month before. The schedule of the monthly Social Security payments depends on a beneficiary's date of birth, and mostly fall on either the second, third or fourth Wednesday.

If someone receives their monthly Social Security payment and then dies, the Social Security Administration may not take the money back, according to Blair.

But if instead the beneficiary dies and then receives their monthly Social Security check, it may have to be paid back, he said.

The Social Security Administration cautions against cashing any checks or keeping direct deposits received in the month of death or later.

If a deceased beneficiary was due a Social Security check or a Medicare premium refund when they died, a claim may be submitted to the Social Security Administration.

3. Surviving spouses, others may be entitled to benefits

Certain family members may be eligible to receive survivor benefits based on the deceased beneficiary's earnings record starting as soon as the month they died, according to the Social Security Administration.

That may include a surviving spouse age 60 or older.

When both spouses have claimed Social Security benefits and one dies, the rule of thumb is the larger benefit continues and the smaller benefit goes away, according to Joe Elsasser, a certified financial planner and president of Covisum, a Social Security software claiming company.

But there can be pitfalls, particularly for couples who have been together for years but never married, he noted.

Some states will treat those unions as common law marriages, which are recognized by the Social Security Administration. However, other states may have no such arrangements, which means survivor benefits would not be available to the living partner should their significant other die.

In many cases, Elsasser said he would recommend those couples get married, particularly when one member of a couple has a very high Social Security benefit and the other doesn't. Of course, marriage does not always make sense financially for all couples, he said.

Another pitfall may emerge for younger widows who remarry at age 59, for example.

"That could be a very bad thing, because it can prevent you from accessing the widow benefit under your ex," Elsasser said.

If instead someone remarries after age 60, they are still entitled to a survivor benefit from a deceased spouse, according to Blair.

Others who may be eligible for benefits on a deceased beneficiary's record include:

• A surviving spouse 50 or older who has a disability
• A surviving divorced spouse if they meet certain qualifications
• A surviving spouse who is caring for a deceased's child under age 16 or who has a disability
• An unmarried child of the deceased who is under 18, or up to 19 if they are a full-time elementary or secondary school student, or age 18 and older with a disability that began before age 22.

"Divorced widow benefits are actually one of the most frequently missed benefits by people because they don't know they're available," Elsasser said.

For example, if you're 70 and were divorced 20 years ago, you may not know that your ex has died, nor think to check with the Social Security Administration to see if their benefit would be higher, he said.

Importantly, the Social Security Administration will not notify you those benefits are available, Elsasser said.

In certain circumstances, other family members may be eligible for survivor benefits, including adopted children, stepchildren, grandchildren or step-grandchildren.

Parents age 62 or older may also be eligible for benefits if they were a dependent of the deceased for at least half of their support.

A family maximum limits how much can be collected when there are multiple family members claiming on one record, such as a surviving mother and three children, according to Elsasser. However, this rarely affects retirees, because exes do not count as part of a family maximum, he noted.

Additionally, in some cases an earnings test threshold may offset the amount of benefits you receive if you also have earned income.

Important tips for survivors to keep in mind:

• Claimants may want to file a restricted application. It is possible to claim a widow's benefit while letting your own retirement benefit grow, or vice versa, according to Elsasser. For example, you may claim a widow's benefit at 60, and then switch to your own retirement benefit at age 70.
• Social Security can provide a "benefit matrix" comparing benefit options. The document may show you how your monthly benefit and your survivor benefits compare. "We always tell folks, if they're looking to determine the best course of action between their own benefit and or a surviving spouse benefit, contact SSA and get the benefit matrix report that will give you the information you need to make a decision," said Marc Kiner, president of Premier Social Security Consulting.
• Social Security will not tell you what strategy will give you maximum lifetime benefits. While Social Security personnel may tell you how to get the highest benefit on the day you visit an office or call, they will not necessarily tell you how to get the maximum benefits over your lifetime, Elsasser said. Consequently, it is best to seek more personalized outside advice to identify the best strategy for your situation.