As described in the article entitled “Social Security Benefits after Death of a Spouse – Part I,” a meeting with the local Social Security office will assist you in determining the benefits for which you are eligible following the death of your spouse. In order to be prepared for that meeting, we suggest that you have the following documents with you for that meeting:
Document Needed:
- Death certificate
- Birth certificate or other proof of birth
- Proof of U.S. citizenship
- S. military discharge paper(s) if you had military service before 1968
- W-2 forms and/or self-employment tax returns for last year
- Marriage certificate
Questions You Will Be Asked:
- Your name and Social Security number;
- Your name at birth (if different);
- The spouse's name, gender, Social Security number, date of birth, date of death, and place of death;
- Your date of birth and place of birth (State or foreign country);
- Whether a public or religious record was made of your birth before age 5;
- Your citizenship status;
- Whether you have used any other Social Security number;
- The State or foreign country of the spouse’s fixed permanent residence at the time of death;
- Whether you or anyone else has ever filed for Social Security benefits, Medicare or Supplemental Security Income on your behalf. (If so, we will also ask for information on whose Social Security record you applied.);
- Whether the spouse ever filed for Social Security benefits, Medicare or Supplemental Security Income. (If so, we will also ask for information on whose Social Security record you applied.);
- Whether you became unable to work because of illnesses, injuries or conditions at any time within the past 14 months. (If yes, we will also ask you the date you became unable to work);
- Whether the spouse was unable to work because of illnesses, injuries or conditions at any time during the 14 months before his or her death. (If yes, we will also ask you the date he or she became unable to work.);
- Whether you or the spouse were ever in the active military service before 1968 and, if so, the dates of service and whether you receive or are eligible to receive a pension from a military or Federal civilian agency;
- Whether you or the spouse worked for the railroad industry;
- Whether you or the spouse ever earned Social Security credits under another country's Social Security system;
- Whether you qualified for or expect to receive a pension or annuity based on your own employment with the Federal government of the United States or one of its States or local subdivisions;
- The names, dates of birth (or age) and Social Security numbers (if known) of your or the spouse’s former spouses;
- The dates and locations of your marriages, and for marriages that have ended, how, when, and where they ended;
- The dates and locations of the spouse's marriages, and for marriages that have ended, how, when, and where they ended;
- The amount of the spouse's earnings in the year of death and the preceding year;
- Whether the spouse had earnings in all years since 1978;
- The amount of your earnings for this year, last year and next year;
- Whether the spouse had a parent who was dependent on the spouse for ½ of his or her support at the time of the spouse’s death or at the time the spouse became disabled;
- Whether you were living with the spouse at the time of death;
- The month you want your benefits to begin; and
- If you are within 3 months of age 65, whether you want to enroll in Medical Insurance (Part B of Medicare).
The majority of these questions can be answered well in advance of a spouse’s death. As part of your documentation, we recommend that you obtain these answers and store them with your important paperwork so that at the time you are grieving a loved one’s death, you are not also digging around for answers to these questions.
Reba Rogers, CPA, is the founder of Secure Aging, a group of care managers who preserve the independence and protect the assets of seniors by helping them with financial management. She is also a Director Consultant for BNI (Business Network International), a referral marketing organization which gives her access to many trusted business professionals in the community.
