Social Security Benefit Rules When a Beneficiary Passes Away

When a SS beneficiary passes away, what are the rules for the benefit paid in the month of death?

An individual must survive the entire preceding month to receive a Social Security benefit for the current month. If a beneficiary passes away in March, they will not receive a benefit for April. The rules for handling Social Security benefits in the month of death are as follows:

• If death occurs prior to payment of the Social Security benefit (SSB): The U.S. Treasury will take back the benefit. To retrieve the final month's benefit, the estate should file Form SSA-1724 (Claim For Amounts Due In The Case Of A Deceased Beneficiary).

• If death occurs after payment of the SSB: The U.S. Treasury will not take back the benefit, and it remains with the beneficiary's estate.

It's important for family members or the executor of the estate to be aware of these rules to ensure proper handling of the final Social Security payment.

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