Social Security where does it go when the person dies?

Question

My children's father has died. He worked over 20 years, never received a penny because he was too young. The children are healthy and grown. Since they are not entitled to it and Im not because we were divorced (would I get it if we were still together)..what happens to all of that money he put in?

Answer 1

Were you married for ten years? Then you possibly are entitled to some or part.  Otherwise, the money goes to the government without even a thank you.

Answer 2

If you are the unmarried divorced spouse of a worker who dies, you could get benefits just the same as a widow or widower, provided that your marriage lasted 10 years or more. Benefits paid to a surviving divorced spouse who is 60 or older will not affect the benefit rates for other survivors receiving benefits. And because the children are not minors nor disabled there is no survivor benefit.

The money he put in to the social security system went to pay the current retirees it did not go into an individual retirement account. You may recall in the first term of the present administration introduced a proposal to reform social security so that there was an individual fund that would have gone to the survivors in the event of an untimely death. But congress roundly rejected the proposal.

Answer 3

It doesn't go anywhere. It stayes in the governments pocket, and no you won't see any of it....

Answer 4

Social Security is a transfer system.  It doesn't go 'in' anywhere.  While you work your SS taxes are going to retirees and those on SS disability.  You're either entitled to benefits and are on the receiving end or not.  So, to answer your question nothing happens to it as it was used long ago.  Look into whether or not you're entitled to any of his retirement benefit.  That depends on your age and how long you were married.