How to get the Social Security statement for a deceased parent?

When a parent dies, the family of the deceased has a lot to deal with, from financial to legal affairs of the deceased. If the deceased parent was collecting Social Security benefits, the deceased's family must request a Social Security statement to file the final taxes of the deceased’s estate.

You can get a Social Security statement for a deceased parent by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or by visiting the local Social Security office. If you decide to call, call the toll-free 800 number between 8.00 am to 7.00 pm Monday through Friday. You can also schedule an appointment at the local Social Security office to request a replacement Social Security statement for the deceased parent.

What is a Social Security Statement?

A Social Security statement, also known as SSA-1099, is a document that shows the full Social Security benefits you received in the past year. Social Security provides the annual statement to all beneficiaries who receive benefits, and it indicates the total earnings to report when filing your tax return. The IRS will also receive a copy of your benefits statement, which shows your total benefits for the previous years and any taxes withheld.

If you misplaced your Social Security statement, or you want to get a Social Security statement for a deceased family member, you can get a replacement Social Security statement. Social Security allows beneficiaries to download and print a benefits statement from their My Social Security account. You can also call Social Security to request a copy of the statement or visit the local Social Security office to get a benefits statement.

How to request a Social Security statement for deceased parent

Use these options to request a Social Security Statement for a deceased parent:

Call Social Security toll-free number

You can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to request a Social Security for your deceased parent between 8.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

You will be required to provide your legal name, Social Security Number, and date of Birth, and SSA will match this information with the information in the Master File of Social Security Number. If SSA authenticates the caller's identity and associates the record with the appropriate record of the deceased beneficiary, Social Security will proceed to send the replacement Social Security statement for the deceased person.

You must be a surviving spouse, child, or parent on the same record as the deceased beneficiary. If Social Security cannot establish a relationship between the caller and the beneficiary, Social Security will require you to make a written request to the local SSA office.

Visit the local field offices

You can visit the local SSA office to request a Social Security statement for a deceased parent. Some of the information you will be required to provide include your name, Social Security Number, and proof of relationship with the deceased beneficiary. 

You must also provide the deceased beneficiary’s name, date of birth, and Social Security number. The Social Security representatives must authenticate your relationship with the deceased to approve your request for a Social Security statement for the deceased parent.

Where does Social Security send the deceased beneficiary’s statement?

When you request a Social Security statement for a deceased beneficiary, Social Security sends the statement to the beneficiary's last known address that Social Security has on the Master Beneficiary Record (MBR).

However, Social Security will check its records to determine if the beneficiary’s address changed in the last 30 days. If there was such a change, you will be required to verify your relationship with the deceased. SSA requires that you must be a surviving spouse, child, or parent on the same record as the deceased to request a Social Security statement on behalf of the deceased beneficiary.

How to return Social Security Payments after the death of a beneficiary?

When a Social Security beneficiary dies, Social Security must be notified immediately to stop further benefits payments. Usually, if the death is not reported, Social Security will continue sending the monthly benefits either as a check or direct deposit. Failing to report the death of a beneficiary is a federal crime, and you could be locked out of survivor benefits.

If Social Security makes a payment for the month of the beneficiary's death, you should not spend the money. If you received the payment in check form, you should return it to the Social Security address immediately. If the beneficiary received monthly payments via direct bank deposits, you should ask the bank to return the funds to Social Security.

Applying for Social Security survivor benefits

Family members who may be eligible for survivor benefits may include the surviving spouse, minor children below 18, a parent who is caring for a minor child of the deceased beneficiary, stepchildren and grandchildren, a divorced spouse, and dependent parents.

When applying for survivor benefits, you will be required to provide certain documentation, depending on your relationship with the deceased beneficiary. This documentation may include a death certificate, marriage certificate, birth certificate, Form W-2, tax returns, etc. You will be required to provide original documents or copies certified by the issuer.

In addition to the documents you provide, Social Security may require more information to determine your relationship with the deceased beneficiary and your eligibility for survivor benefits. For example, you may be required to provide your legal name, date of birth, and your Social Security number. You may also be required to provide information about your earnings and work history to determine how much benefits you are eligible to receive on your own record.