Can you give your Social Security money to someone else?

Asked by: Melyssa Barrows  |  Last update: August 2, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (68 votes)

It may be a family member, a friend, a legal guardian or a lawyer. Sometimes, however, social service agencies, nursing homes or other organizations offer to serve as payees. If there's someone you would like to have as your payee, you can tell a Social Security representative and we will consider your request.

Can you transfer your Social Security benefits to another person?

Who can I transfer my social security benefits to? Your biological, adopted child, or dependent stepchild may be eligible to receive your social security benefits if you become disabled, retire or pass away. The child must be: Unmarried.

Can you gift money to someone on Social Security?

Gifts Don't Affect SSDI At All

Let's start with the easy one: SSDI. Gifts do not affect SSDI at all! You don't even have to report them to Social Security.

Can Social Security be deposited into someone else's account?

Put a beneficiary's Social Security or SSI funds in the payee's or another person's account. Use a child's "dedicated account" funds for basic living expenses. (This only applies to disabled and blind SSI beneficiaries under age 18.) Keep conserved funds once you are no longer the payee.

Can I transfer my Social Security to my son?

Within a family, a child can receive up to half of the parent's full retirement or disability benefits. If a child receives survivors benefits, they can get up to 75% of the deceased parent's basic Social Security benefit. There is a limit, however, to the amount of money we can pay to a family.

What Can Someone Do With My Social Security Number???

21 related questions found

How do I get the $16728 Social Security bonus?

Have you heard about the Social Security $16,728 yearly bonus? There's really no “bonus” that retirees can collect. The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a specific formula based on your lifetime earnings to determine your benefit amount.

Can someone inherit your Social Security?

A surviving spouse, surviving divorced spouse, unmarried child, or dependent parent may be eligible for monthly survivor benefits based on the deceased worker's earnings. In addition, a one-time lump sum death payment of $255 can be made to a qualifying spouse or child if they meet certain requirements.

When my husband dies, do I get his Social Security and mine?

If your spouse dies, do you get both Social Security benefits? You cannot claim your deceased spouse's benefits in addition to your own retirement benefits. Social Security only will pay one—survivor or retirement. If you qualify for both survivor and retirement benefits, you will receive whichever amount is higher.

How do I transfer my Social Security deposit?

starting or changing Direct Deposit online (Social Security benefits only), or. contacting your bank, credit union or savings and loan association, or. calling Social Security toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), or. visiting your local Social Security Field Office.

Who cannot be a representative payee?

A representative payee applicant may not serve if he/she: (a) Has been convicted of a violation under section 208, 811 or 1632 of the Social Security Act. (b) Has been convicted of an offense resulting in imprisonment for more than 1 year.

How much money can you legally give someone?

The IRS allows you to gift up to $18,000 in money or property to an individual each year without having to report it to the IRS (for the tax year 2024). Even if your gifts exceed $18,000, it's still unlikely you'd have to pay taxes unless you've surpassed the lifetime gift tax exclusion ($13.61 million in 2024).

Is it considered income if someone gifts you money?

Key Takeaways: Cash gifts and income are subject to IRS reporting rules. Gifts of up to $19,000 in cash are exempt from reporting in 2025. Those who have household employees must report cash payments that exceed $2,800 in 2025.

Can I give my SSI to someone else?

If you're already receiving Social Security benefits and have a payee, you can ask someone else to be your payee. You should tell your present payee that you plan to ask someone else to help you. The person you want to become your new payee must file an application at a Social Security office.

What happens to unused Social Security payments after death?

Disposing Conserved Funds When a Beneficiary Dies

Any payment received for the month of death or later must be returned. Payments are payable for the month of death. However, you must return any SSI payments received for any months after the month of death.

Can I spend my SSI money on anything?

Personal care items. Clothing. Rehabilitation expenses (if you're disabled). After paying those expenses, your payee can use the rest of the money to do things like pay any past-due bills you may have or give you spending money.

How do I keep my SSI and inheritance money?

By setting up a special needs trust and depositing the inheritance into it, the beneficiary can continue to receive SSI while also getting the benefit of the inheritance. The funds in the trust are overseen by a trustee such as a parent or family member.

How do I transfer my Social Security benefits?

OVER THE PHONE. You can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. You may be placed on hold for some time before you get to talk with someone. Be sure to have both the old and new bank account information in front of you to provide them.

Is my social security number a bank account?

The claim that numbers on a Social Security card can be used as a routing and account number to make purchases is FALSE, based on our research. The Fed has debunked the claim on numerous occasions. It is not possible for an individual to have a bank account with the Fed.

Can a Social Security check be deposited into a joint account?

SPOTLIGHT ON FINANCIAL INSTITUTION ACCOUNTS -- 2024 Edition

They can be individual or joint accounts. We look at the title of the account to determine who has access to the money in that account.

How much does a wife get of her husband's Social Security if he dies?

Spouses and ex-spouses

Payments start at 71.5% of your spouse's benefit and increase the longer you wait to apply. For example, you might get: Over 75% at age 61.

What not to do when your spouse dies?

Top 10 Things Not to Do When Someone Dies
  1. 1 – DO NOT tell their bank. ...
  2. 2 – DO NOT wait to call Social Security. ...
  3. 3 – DO NOT wait to call their Pension. ...
  4. 4 – DO NOT tell the utility companies. ...
  5. 5 – DO NOT give away or promise any items to loved ones. ...
  6. 6 – DO NOT sell any of their personal assets. ...
  7. 7 – DO NOT drive their vehicles.

Who gets the $250 Social Security death benefit?

Following the death of a worker beneficiary or other insured worker,1 Social Security makes a lump-sum death benefit payment of $255 to the eligible surviving spouse or, if there is no spouse, to eligible surviving dependent children.

When a spouse dies, what happens to their Social Security?

Surviving spouse, at full retirement age or older, generally gets 100% of the worker's basic benefit amount. Surviving spouse, age 60 or older, but under full retirement age, gets between 71% and 99% of the worker's basic benefit amount.

Can I withdraw money from a deceased person's bank account?

An executor/administrator of an estate can only withdraw money from a deceased person's bank account if the account does not have a designated beneficiary or joint owner and is not being disposed of by the deceased person's trust.

What is the first thing you should do when your husband dies?

Here's a checklist of 10 things you need to do when your spouse dies:
  • Get legal, tax and financial advice. ...
  • Make funeral arrangements. ...
  • Apply for government benefits. ...
  • Contact your spouse's past and recent employers. ...
  • File life insurance claims. ...
  • Call your bank or other financial institutions.