Life is indeed too short and unpredictable; all of us will definitely end in dieing. No matter how much you do not want to leave your family, time will come that they must try to accept your eternal departure.

But, the real question here is how your loved ones will survive if you happen to be their sole financial supporter. Where can they get their needed money to sustain their living? Is there any kind of support they may acquire from the government?

Certainly, under the Survivor Benefits program of the Social Security Administration, the families of their members who die may be eligible of financial support if they meet the requirements. This means that if you die, your family may receive benefits, which will be based on the record of your earnings.

However, you must first earn enough work credits and pay your Social Security taxes promptly for your survivors to qualify in such program.

The SSA may pay survivor’s benefits to:

• your spouse, 60 years of age and older or 50 and above if disabled

• your spouse of any age if taking care and custody of your child who is still under the age of 16 or having any disability

• your former spouse, 60 years of age and older or 50 and above if disabled who has been married to you in at least a period of ten years

• your former spouse of any age if taking care and custody of your child who is still under the age of 16 or having any disability

• your children below the age of 18 but not yet married

• your children below the age of 19 if still unmarried and going to school until grade 12

• your parents aging 62 and above

If your survivors qualify, they will be entitled to receive monthly check from the SSA equivalent to a fraction of your basic Social Security benefits. This will be calculated depending on your average earnings, their age and relation with you.

In filing an application for a Social Security Survivor’s benefits, it will be helpful to present these original document copies to the SSA as soon as possible:

• Death certificate of the Social Security member who died

• Your Social Security number as well as of the departed

• Birth certificate

• Marriage contract (for widows or widowers)

• Divorce papers (for legally separated)

• Deceased member’s most recent W-2 form

• Bank’s name and your account number where the SSA will deposit your monthly checks

This is just a brief summary of matters involving the Social Security Survivor’s Benefits. Hence, for further information, you may contact the nearest SSA office in your state or you may log in on their website at www.ssa.gov