The following family members are eligible for survivor benefits:

1. A surviving spouse (of any age) who was married to the worker at the time of his death (or an ex-spouse that has not remarried) that is caring for a child of the deceased (whether natural, adopted, or step) who is under age 16.
2. A surviving spouse ( or an unmarried ex-spouse) caring for a disabled child, of any age, if the child is receiving Social Security benefits.
3. Unmarried child under age 18, or under age 19 if a full time high school student, (can include natural, adopted, or stepchild).
4. A child age 18 or older and severely disabled before age 22. The benefits may continue regardless of age as long as the child remains totally disabled.
5. Parents of the deceased worker, if they were dependent upon the worker for at least one-half of their support.
6. A surviving spouse age 60 or older (can be an ex-spouse).
7. A surviving spouse 50 or older who is disabled (can be an ex-spouse).
8. A $255 lump sum payment to a surviving spouse (or minor children if no spouse).

EARNINGS REQUIREMENT

To qualify for regular Social Security benefits, or survivor benefits for the worker’s family, an individual must have worked and earned sufficient "credits." Workers earn credits based on their earnings. In 2001, every $830 in earnings equals one credit, up to a maximum of four credits per year ($3,320 in annual earnings in 2001 equals the maximum four credits). The amount of money needed to earn one credit increases annually based on the cost of living (in 2000 it was $780). Generally, workers need 40 credits (10 years of work) to qualify for regular benefits. However, fewer than 40 credits are needed to qualify for survivor benefits. For the family of a deceased worker to be eligible for survivor benefits, a worker born in 1930 or later needs one credit for each year after age 21, up to the year of death. For workers born prior to 1930, one credit is needed for each year after 1950, up to the year of death.

For example: a worker born in 1950 who died in 2000 would require 28 credits (seven years of work) for survivor benefits to be payable to family members. (The worker was age 21 in 1971, and needed one credit for each year after age 21 up to the year of death -1972 through 2000 = 28 "credits").

Under any scenario, the family is eligible for a reduced survivor benefit if the deceased worker had at least six credits (one and one-half years of work) in the three years before death.