Death Benefit Social Security offers recipients a lump-sum death benefit. As of 2013, the benefit amount is $255. The benefit is payable to a surviving spouse if he was living with the SSI recipient before she passed away. If they were not living together at the time of death, the spouse may qualify if he […]

Maybe. It depends on whether your spouse chose a monthly payout based solely on his/her life expectancy, or a monthly payout that continues through your life – that is, the “joint and survivor” benefit option. If you aren’t sure what your spouse chose, get in touch with the company providing the pension. As you might […]

If you’re married and at least 62 years old, you’re entitled to claim a Social Security spousal benefit even if you haven’t worked outside of the home. A spouse’s decision to claim early retirement benefits will result in a lower benefit. According to SSA, the spousal benefit is reduced to approximately one-third of the primary […]

Burial benefits available for Veterans buried in a private cemetery may include a Government headstone, marker or medallion, a burial flag, and a Presidential Memorial Certificate, at no cost to the family. Some Veterans may also be eligible for Burial Allowances. There are not any VA benefits available to spouses and dependents buried in a […]

Survivors Pension The Survivors Pension benefit, which may also be referred to as Death Pension, is a tax-free monetary benefit payable to a low-income, un-remarried surviving spouse and/or unmarried child(ren) of a deceased Veteran with wartime service. Eligibility The deceased Veteran must have met the following service requirements: For service on or before September 7, […]

As a general rule, local cremation costs are far more affordable than the costs associated with a funeral and traditional burial. However, families exercise even more fine-grained control over cremation costs by selecting the services that are right for them. When selecting cremation services, these are the things to consider: Do You Want a Visitation, […]

If you’re married and at least 62 years old, you’re entitled to claim a Social Security spousal benefit even if you haven’t worked outside of the home. A spouse’s decision to claim early retirement benefits will result in a lower benefit. According to SSA, the spousal benefit is reduced to approximately one-third of the primary […]

Parents’ Dependency and Indemnity Compensation is a tax free income-based monthly benefit for the parent(s) of military Servicemembers who died in the line of duty or Veterans whose death resulted from a service-related injury or disease. Eligibility Be the parent of a military Servicemember who died in the line of duty or a Veteran who […]

Understanding Supplemental Security Income SSI for Children– 2017 Edition SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME (SSI) FOR CHILDREN WHO IS A “CHILD” FOR SSI? A person who is neither married (as determined by Social Security) nor head of a household and: is under age 18; or is under age 22 and is a student regularly attending school (as determined by […]

Why Does VA Provide a Burial Flag? A United States flag is provided, at no cost, to drape the casket or accompany the urn of a deceased Veteran who served honorably in the U. S. Armed Forces. It is furnished to honor the memory of a Veteran’s military service to his or her country. VA […]