Social Security Information

Social Security Benefits
It is important that you consider Social Security benefits, if applicable, as a significant part of your estate.

Please remember that Social Security benefits are not paid automatically. They must be applied for. In order to apply, your survivor must complete and submit several documents to the Social Security Administration office within a specific period of time.

Documents Required:
Proof of Death (several are needed)
Deceased’s Social Security Card
Marriage Certificate (copy is acceptable)
Deceased’s Birth Certificate
Applicant’s Birth Certificate
Minor Children’s Birth Certificates
Proof of Disabled Child (over 18 years of age)
Funeral-Receipted Invoice of Deceased
Record of Income for Preceding Years
Proof of Termination of Any Previous Marriage
(Additional documents may be required.)

For More Information
You should contact the Social Security office nearest you for complete benefit information and guidance. Refer to your telephone directory for the phone number or address of the nearest Social Security office.

You can also write to:
Social Security Administration
6401 Security Boulevard
Baltimore, MD 21235
www.ssa.gov

Your Earnings and Benefit Estimate
To obtain an estimate of what your future Social Security benefits will be and how you can qualify for them, call your local Social Security office. Or, complete and mail the “Request for Earnings and Benefit Estimate Statement” (pdf). It may take six weeks to process.

Note: You will need the Adobe® Acrobat® Reader® in order to view and print pdfs. If you do not have the free Acrobat reader, you may download it here.