Social Security survivor benefits processed automatically - do I need to visit SSA office?

You're all set! When SSA is notified of a death (usually through funeral home reporting to vital records), they automatically process survivor benefits if the surviving spouse is already receiving their own Social Security benefits. Since you were both already in the system and they clearly had your marriage info on file, the transition happened automatically. The $255 death benefit and switching you to your wife's higher benefit amount is exactly what should happen. The people telling you to visit an office are thinking of situations where the surviving spouse wasn't already receiving benefits or where there might be children's benefits to claim. The SSA has gotten much more efficient with these automatic conversions in recent years. You're good to go!

sorry for your loss. my mom went thru the same thing when dad died. everybody told her go to ss office but it all happened automatic too. some ppl still think u have to do everything in person like the old days lol

Are you ABSOLUTELY SURE everything is correct though? When my husband died the SS office MESSED UP my payments for THREE MONTHS!!! They initially did the automatic switch but then suddenly decided I wasn't eligible for the higher amount. I had to fight them for WEEKS to get it fixed!!!! I would still make an appointment just to VERIFY everything is set up correctly!!!!

My condolences for your loss. When my mother passed, they handled dad's benefits automatically too. SSA gets death reports from various sources. The only reason you'd need to go in is if there were children under 18 or disabled adult children who might qualify for benefits on the deceased's record. At your age with just the two of you, the automatic processing is normal.

I tried calling Social Security last month about my disability review and it was IMPOSSIBLE to get through. After being on hold for 2+ hours and then getting disconnected twice, I found this service called Claimyr that got me through to an agent in about 20 minutes. They basically call SSA for you and then connect you when they reach an agent. Check out their website claimyr.com - they also have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU Might be helpful if you do decide you need to talk to someone at SSA without the hassle of going to an office. Though sounds like you might not even need to based on other responses.

When wife die last year i got letter from ss but they not change my benefit. I had to go office and wait all day. Why yours automatic? This make no sense to me.

my uncle had everything process automatic 2 but then got letter 4 months later saying they overpaid him $3200!!! make sure u save some money just in case they come back later and say oops we made mistake

Just to provide a complete answer: The SSA automatically processes survivor benefits in situations where: 1. Both spouses were receiving benefits 2. The marriage is properly documented in SSA records 3. The death is reported through official channels (funeral homes, vital records) The process includes: - Payment of the one-time $255 death benefit - Adjustment to the higher of the two benefit amounts You should verify that your new monthly amount equals what your wife was receiving. If her benefit was higher than yours, you'll now receive that amount instead of your own benefit. The only reason you might need to contact SSA is if: - Your new benefit amount seems incorrect - You have eligible dependents who might qualify for survivor benefits - You need to update other information (banking, address, etc.) Otherwise, the automatic processing you experienced is working as designed and is becoming more common as SSA improves their systems.