Social Security’s one-time death benefit is $255
Social Security’s one-time death benefit has been frozen at $255 since the 1950s.
The benefit was never indexed to inflation, leaving grieving spouses with a significant financial gap.
Delaying the higher-earning spouse’s Social Security claim can boost the survivor’s monthly benefit by roughly 30%.
Families must rely on life insurance or payable-on-death accounts to cover immediate funeral and transition costs.