Can You Collect Your Parents’ Social Security Benefits When They Die?

Glenn Kirst is a lead planning excellence consultant at Northwestern Mutual. 

Grieving the loss of a parent is never easy. Adjusting to life without them can be even more difficult if you depended on them for financial support. If they were receiving Social Security benefits, those payments typically end when they die, but there are certain situations in which a deceased person’s benefits can be passed on to a spouse, ex-spouse, parent or child. These are called survivor benefits. 

So, while you generally won’t be able to collect a parent’s Social Security benefits after they die, there are some special circumstances in which you could. And there are things you can do in advance to make sure you’re covered financially covered when your parents are gone.  

Can a grown child collect their deceased parent’s Social Security? 

The answer is usually no, but there are some exceptions. But first, it’s important to understand how Social Security benefits work.  

To qualify for Social Security benefits, the deceased parent must have worked long enough to earn the required credits. In 2024, they’ll get one credit for every $1,730 of earned income, and they can earn up to four credits in a given year. Once they have a minimum of 40 credits—which translates to about 10 years of work—they are eligible to receive retirement benefits.  

People can start taking benefits as early as age 62, but there’s a lot that goes into deciding. Just because a parent is eligible doesn’t necessarily mean they will start taking benefits. They may choose to wait until full retirement age—or even longer—to get their full benefit.   

But whether or not they were collecting Social Security when they died, if the deceased parent had enough credits before passing away, their children may be able to collect a portion of their Social Security benefits (if they meet the criteria). How much you could get  is determined by many factors, like how much the deceased parent earned while working and what qualifications are met.  

Below are the two scenarios in which a child could collect their parents’ Social Security benefits. 

A child is a minor 

Children who are under 18 may be eligible to receive a survivor benefit, which means they can collect some of a deceased parent’s Social Security benefits (as long as they’re not married). They’ll be able to collect an amount equal to 75 percent of the total benefit amount until they turn 18. However, if they’re a full-time elementary or secondary student, they could collect benefits until they are 19.  

An adult child is unmarried and has a qualifying disability

If the child has a qualifying disability that began before age 22, they can start collecting a deceased parent’s Social Security benefits when they turn 18. The benefit can last the rest of their life if their disability prevents them from working.  And they can continue receiving the benefit if they marry someone who is also disabled. 

One stipulation is that the adult child with the disability must be unable to engage in “substantial gainful activity.” In other words, if they work, their monthly earnings cannot exceed a certain amount. In 2024, that amount is $2,590 for blind individuals and $1,550 for others.   

How do I claim my parents’ Social Security? 

If you qualify for survivor benefits, you can apply by contacting the Social Security Administration.  

If you won’t qualify for survivor benefits, there are steps you can take ahead of time to ensure a smooth financial transition when you lose a parent—especially one you’re relying on financially.  

Talk to your parents about life insurance 

Hopefully, your parents have a life insurance policy that will cover those who depend on them—including you. Make sure you understand who the beneficiaries are and how much they will get. This could help you with your own planning if there is a gap you need to cover.  

Get familiar your parents’ will or trust 

Many parents choose to leave a legacy for their children, and yours may be planning to as well. If you’re concerned about what would happen if your parents passed, talk to them about their plans for their legacy. Chances are, you could also have some responsibilities in carrying out their wishes, so this is a good conversation to have for many reasons. 

Build a healthy emergency fund 

Building an emergency fund that can cover anywhere from three to six months of your expenses can help make sure you’re covered if your situation changes. It’ll give you some time to get by while you figure out how to move forward.  

Meet with a financial advisor 

A financial advisor can get an understanding of your situation and make recommendations to help you reach your goals. They can suggest strategies for paying down debt, saving for retirement, saving for a down payment on a house and more. And they’ll have ideas on how to protect the money you’re growing, too, to make sure you’ll be okay even as life changes.