Social Security Benefits

Transcription

1

2 The Funeral or Memorial Service In many respects, a funeral or memorial service is primarily for the living. It offers your friends and loved ones a time and place to show their love and respect. It is also an opportunity for them to express their grief and to begin the process of adjusting to their personal loss. This guide is to help your family through this difficult process by expressing your own wishes about the funeral and burial arrangements. It is a concrete way you can show your love and concern for them. It will also be a valuable resource if you have no close family or friends to make final arrangements for you. And, it will give them the information needed to complete some of the required legal forms. Social Security Benefits Lump Sum Death Payment If you are either fully or currently insured under Social Security, your beneficiaries may be entitled to a lump sum death benefit. This will pay $ to a surviving spouse who was living in the same household as the deceased at the time of death, or to a spouse or dependent child eligible to receive Social Security benefits for the month of death based on the decedent s earnings record. Survivor s Benefit The survivors of a worker either fully or currently insured under Social Security may be entitled to other benefits, based on the earnings history of the insured worker. Some of these benefits are as follows: Mother or father s benefit, regardless of age, if the surviving parent is caring for a child of the deceased worker under the age of 16, or a child disabled before the age of 22; Child s benefit, a monthly benefit payable to each who is: (1) under age 18, or (2) over age 18 and disabled before age 22, or (3) age 18 and attending elementary or high school; Widow(er) s benefit, payable to a widow(er), or surviving divorced widow(er), age 60 or older; Disabled widow(er) s benefit, payable to a disabled widow(er) age 50-60; Parent s benefit, payable to a parent of a deceased insured worker, if the parent was dependent on the deceased worker for support. To find out what benefits are available and the amounts, you can inquire at a local office of the Social Security Administration. Information is also available through the national toll-free number or the Agency s Internet site You may also write directly to: Social Security Administration Office of Public Inquiries 6401 Security Blvd. Room 4-C-5 Annex Baltimore, MD 21235

3 Wise Foresight Can Ease Their Burden Memorial Instructions for Place of service/memorial chapel Church denomination of church City State Zip Please contact: Minister Priest Rabbi number Participating organization (Military or Fraternal) Type of Service: Casket Open Closed Material: Fiberglass Metal Wood Interior color Exterior color Flag: Yes No Fold/Place at head of casket Drape casket Cremation Urn Material: Bronze Hardwood Pewter and Copper Stainless steel Temporary container Other Music: Organist: Yes No Clothing: Use from current wardrobe: Yes No Selections: Jewelry stays on Wedding ring stays on Yes Yes No No Soloist: Yes No or return ring to Selections: Favorite passage from Bible or other literature: Cemetery Decisions: Location of ownership certificate/deed for cemetery property of cemetery Exchange Privileges: Yes No Prefer: Mausoleum Lawn crypts Spaces Description of cemetery property to be used: Crypt or Space Tier or Lot Mausoleum or Lawn Vault Flower container Memorial: Bronze/Granite/Other Inscription Emblem Flowers: Color and type preferred Donations (instead of flowers) to: Special instructions These are my instructions and memorial wishes. Signed: Date:

4 The following information will hopefully assure accuracy and eliminate needless research. The Family History of First Middle Last Street address City State Zip Birthplace: City State Birthdate: Month Day Year Resided in county State Lived here since of bank Checking account Savings account Martial status Spouse name (include maiden name) Marriage: Date Place Father s name and birthplace Mother s maiden name and birthplace Occupation Employing company Type of business/industry Since what year? Social Security number Veteran/Branch of service Serial number of war or dates served Organization Rank Enlisted at Date Discharged at Date Location of discharge certificate Important Documents and Vital Information Important documents and vital information should be stored in a safe location that can be easily accessed if needed. It is also recommended that important documents kept in the home be stored in a fireproof container. Be sure to inform all necessary persons of the location of this planning guide and other important documents. You may also choose to give a copy of this planning guide to a trusted individual. Below, check all that apply and on the line provided give the location where the documents may be found. Example: Will Filed under Important documents in top drawer of filing cabinet Do you have the following: Attorney Auto insurance policy Deed to property or house Investments portfolio Life insurance policy Medicare / Medicaid card and information Passport Safety deposit box information Social Security card and information Will Other

5 During this difficult time the family will need each other s reassuring presence. Immediate Family PLEASE CONTACT Immediate family member to contact Relationship including area code Immediate family member to contact Relationship including area code FRIENDS WHO WILL ASSIST THE FAMILY Address Address Address PALLBEARERS PREFERENCE FOR IMMEDIATE CONTACT Funeral arrangements counselor Attorney Accountant Family doctor

6 Checklist of Things to Do for Family and Friends 1. Notify: The doctor or coroner The funeral director The cemetery or memorial park The minister and church All relatives All friends Organist and soloist Pallbearers Insurance agents Unions and fraternal organizations Newspapers 2. Select: Memorial estate and plot Casket or urn Vault or outer case Clothing Blanket or robe Flowers Music Food Furniture Time Place Transportation Thank you cards 3. Additional Obligations Include: Providing vital statistics about deceased to the newspaper and person planning the service Preparing and signing necessary papers Providing addresses for all interested people who must be notified Answering phone calls, messages and letters Greeting friends and relatives who call Providing lodging for out of town guests Cleaning and renovating the home Planning funeral car list 4. Arrange Payment for: Doctor Nurse Hospital Medicine and drugs Funeral Cemetery plot Interment service Minister Organist Clothing Transportation Food Memorials 5. Required Documents: Obtain official copies of death certificate. A few possible uses are listed below. Check all that apply and list policy numbers and/or account numbers in space provided. You may list any additional information in the miscellaneous section at the bottom of this page. Close bank accounts Insurance purposes (policies) Social Security 6. Do you need to: Close accounts Contact creditors, i.e. mortgage company, auto finance company, credit card company Contact postal service to forward or cancel delivery of mail Miscellaneous / Other considerations:

7 Veteran s Death Benefits Certain death benefits are available to veterans who served active duty in a branch of the Armed Forces. These benefits, for eligible veterans, may include some or all of the following: Burial in a national cemetery, or a plot allowance; Headstone or marker; Presidential Memorial Certificate; Burial flag to drape the coffin; Allowance for reimbursement of burial expenses (the amount will vary, depending on whether the veteran s death was service connected); Death benefits payable by any service member s Group Life. Dependency and Indemnity Compensation Monthly income benefits may be payable to certain survivors of an eligible veteran: Surviving spouse; Unmarried children, under age 18; Unmarried children, age 18-23, attending a VA approved school; Low income parents of a service member or veteran. Additional special allowances may be available for eligible dependents confined to a nursing home, requiring special assistance, or who are homebound. Educational benefits may also be available for the dependents of eligible veterans. Because eligibility for some or all of these benefits will depend on the veteran s service disability status, it would help survivors if the veteran would contact the Veteran s Administration and document what benefits are available. To contact a regional Veteran's Administration Center near you: Call or visit their website: Department of Veteran s Affairs