Part of the Social Security Administration's Retirement, Survivors and Disability Insurance (RSDI) Benefits takes care of the survivors of eligible members. A survivor's insurance claims aim to cushion the blow of losing a wage earner in the family. The Social Security Administration pays some survivors of members who have worked for at least ten years, depending on the person's age at the time of his/her death.

Who is eligible for this benefit?

Survivor benefits may be paid to the people who meet the following criteria:

?A widow/widower at his/her retirement age

?A disabled widow/widower at his/her retirement age

?A widow/widower who isn't at his/her retirement age yet, but is taking care of the deceased member's child who is disabled or under 16 years of age and who is receiving Social Security benefits

?Unmarried children of the member who is under 18 years of age, or up to 19 (if they are still attending high school full time)

?Children of the member who were disabled before the age 22 and are still disabled

?Dependent parents aged 62 above

?In some cases, benefits can also be paid to grandchildren, stepchildren, and adopted children.

?Can I still work while receiving benefits??

Similar to other RSDI benefits, you may work and receive survivors? benefits at the same time. However, the amount that you receive as benefits may be reduced depending on how much you make every month in your work, or when you reach a certain age. For more information about how working will affect your benefits, you may visit the Social Security Administration's website

?My spouse and I have already been divorced, am I still eligible??

Most people who have been divorced from their former spouse wonder if they are still eligible for survivors? benefits. If the marriage lasted for at least 10 years and you are 60 years old or older (50, if you are disabled), then yes, you are eligible for survivors? benefits.

?What if I remarry??

Remarrying will not affect the benefits being paid to you or your children. You cannot be considered eligible for survivors? benefits if you had remarried before the age of 60, unless your former marriage ends by annulment, divorce, or death. If you remarried after the age of 60 (or 50 if you are disabled), you may still collect survivors? benefits. When you reach the age of 62 or older, you may claim a higher retirement benefit if your former spouse's retirement benefits are higher than your benefits

What does ?representative payee? mean?

A representative payee is an organization or person appointed by the Social Security Administration to receive benefits in behalf of a beneficiary who cannot manage his/her finances because of age or mental and/or physical impairment.

I am a parent, am I eligible?

Parents of a deceased child may be entitled to survivors? benefits if their child had been insured at the time of death, and the parents meet the following requirements:

?62 years old or older

?Is not entitled to his/her own benefits that is equal or greater in amount than the survivors? benefits

?Was already receiving at least one half support from their deceased child

If you have issues with your application of survivor's benefits and need legal advice, contact a lawyer with specialization in RSDI benefits right away.