Which Social Security benefit is a one-time payment made to the eligible surviving spouse of a deceased insured worker?
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Answer & full 3-part explanation (select an option above, or peek)
Why A is correct
Social Security pays a one-time lump-sum death benefit to an eligible surviving spouse of a deceased worker who met the insured status requirements. The benefit is intended to help with burial and other immediate final expenses. It is separate from the ongoing monthly survivor income benefits that a surviving spouse or dependent children may receive. The existence of this one-time payment, alongside survivor income and the blackout period, is part of the survivor benefit structure that life insurance agents must understand when planning family protection.
Why the other options are wrong
- B) The blackout period is a gap in survivor income benefits. It is not a benefit payment of any kind that a surviving spouse receives.
- C) Monthly disability benefits replace income for disabled workers. They are not a one-time survivor payment made to a surviving spouse.
- D) There is no retirement annuity refund. Social Security pays retirement income to eligible retirees; it does not refund the deceased worker’s contributions.
Memory hook
Lump-sum death benefit = Social Security's one-time burial helper for the surviving spouse of an insured worker.