Breaking Down Social Security Survivor Benefits
The loss of a loved one is never easy. The emotional and financial implications can be difficult, especially when it comes to the complexities of Social Security survivor benefits. Military.com has put together an excellent explanation of exactly how the program works, who qualifies, and how to make a claim.
The article also answers eight common questions about survivor benefits, including how ex-spouses can receive benefits long after a divorce and how children can claim benefits if their parent has passed. Since Social Security is such a complicated system and every case is unique, this list of FAQs should help decipher who is eligible for survivor benefits and how much they can receive.
About six million people received survivor benefits last year. That’s just a fraction of the 61 million people collecting Social Security benefits each month, according to the National Academy of Social Insurance. With one out of every five people in this country receiving benefits, it’s important that we do everything we can to preserve this program.
The Seniors Trust is committed to seeing Congress pass the Social Security Expansion Act. In addition to strengthening Social Security’s long-term solvency, it also calls for providing bigger monthly benefits and establishing a fairer cost-of-living adjustment. Surveys show unprecedented unanimous support for its efforts and passage of the bill.
