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Social Security Survivor Benefits

by Jinky C. Mesias

Two things in this world are sure and these are living and dying. The living part benefits of Social Security comprises of disability benefits, retirement benefits and Medicare Health Benefits. The death benefits of Social Security is embodied in its survivor insurance package wherein the family of the deceased Social Security member is given the deceased retirement benefits in order to help them continue with their lives. Aside from that, in most cases the survivors insurance is probably more than the value of the deceased life insurance. By now, you are probably thinking just how you may be able to earn social security survivors benefits. The first thing to do is of course to become a member of social security and then you have to work in order for you to earn enough Social Security credits. A social security member can earn up to four credits each year. These credits will be the basis for the survivor benefits that would be given to the family of the deceased social security member.

In addition, the survivor benefits to be given to the family of the deceased social security member will also depend on the age of the member at the time he or she died. For social security members who died at a young age, fewer credits are allotted for the family and would therefore render them a much lower survivor benefits. The survivor benefits will also depend on the working years of the social security member. In addition, each member of the social security is allowed to have not more than forty credits which is also equivalent to ten working years.

However, the survivor benefits are also given to the children of the deceased social security member and benefits are also given to the remaining spouse who is going to be the one to take care of the children irregardless whether the deceased member of the social security has earned the required number of credits. The credits earned are then based on the years of work the deceased social security member has accomplished before hitting the bucket. Aside from that, the family of the deceased social security member is also entitled to receive the survivor benefit based on the earnings of the deceased social security member.

Lastly, it is an excellent idea to plan and to prepare for the inevitable. Aside from that, being a member of the social security can actually bring peace of mind since you know that whatever happens to you, your family will be receiving survivor benefits. These survivor benefits can help your family continue living even without you with them.

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