Survivor Benefits 101: the map of what may be owed
A map of what may be owed to you.
In short
Families routinely leave real money unclaimed. Monthly Social Security, VA payments, pensions, insurance, final pay. Not because they do not qualify, but because nobody hands them the list. This is the list.
The seven places to look
One: Social Security. Monthly benefits for spouses from 60, young children, and some dependent parents, plus the one time 255 dollars. Filed by phone, 1-800-772-1213.
Two: the VA, if your person served. Monthly DIC for eligible survivors, burial allowances, a headstone or marker.
Three: life insurance, including the policies people forget. Employer group life, accidental death riders, credit life on loans, funeral policies.
Four: the employer. Final paycheck, unused vacation payout, 401(k), stock, workers comp if work related, and COBRA for the family's health coverage.
Five: pensions and retirement accounts, with survivor options and inherited account rules that reward patience.
Six: the state. Unclaimed property held by the states, and county assistance programs where they exist.
Seven: the forgotten. Old employers' plans, savings bonds, loyalty points and miles.
The order that protects you
Report to Social Security early; it prevents overpayments you would have to return.
The employer in the first weeks; where the employer's plan is covered by COBRA, the election window is 60 days from the later of the date coverage ends or the date the election notice arrives, and a death entitles the surviving spouse and children to up to 36 months of continued coverage.
Insurance once certificates are in hand.
The slow searches anytime; they do not expire.
Watch-outs
- You do not need to pay anyone to file these claims. The government programs here are free to apply to.
- Track every application; follow up is where claims quietly die.
Sources
- Survivor benefits provide monthly payments to eligible spouses, children, and dependent parents of workers who paid Social Security taxesopens in a new tab
- Eligibility ages for survivor benefits, including spouses from age 60, children age 17 and younger, and dependent parents age 62 or olderopens in a new tab
- The one time 255 dollar lump sum death payment and the two year application windowopens in a new tab
- VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, a tax free monthly benefit for eligible surviving spouses, children, and parentsopens in a new tab
- VA burial allowances, burial in a national cemetery, and headstones, markers, and medallions for veteransopens in a new tab
- COBRA continuation coverage after the death of a covered employee, with a 60 day window to elect and up to 36 months of coverage for the familyopens in a new tab
Related
- Claiming Social Security survivor benefits
- Applying for VA survivor benefits
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