The short answer
Payments to your parent stop with the death. What happens next depends on the form of benefit your parent chose when the payments began.
If your parent was married, a monthly survivor payment usually goes to the spouse, not to the children. Some forms pay a named beneficiary for what is left of a guaranteed period. Federal and military retirement have their own rules, and children can come second in line for some lump sums.
This chapter explains how things usually work in the United States. It is not legal, tax or financial advice, and the rules where you live may differ. Before you act on anything here, check it with one of the people named at the end of the chapter.
What to do
- Find the plan's name from bank statements, tax forms or old letters.
- Tell the plan of the death, and ask what it needs from you.
- Ask what form of benefit your parent chose.
- Ask whether anything is owed to a beneficiary or the estate.
- Return any payment the plan says was made after the death, the way the plan asks.
- Keep the plan's letters and tax forms for the tax return.
What can wait
- Choosing how to take any lump sum, until you know the tax, unless the plan gives you a date to choose by. A tax preparer can explain each choice.
- Deciding what to do with any money that comes to you.
Who can help
For a former employer's plan, the plan administrator answers. PBGC answers at 1-800-400-7242 (TTY 711) for the plans it pays. For federal retirees, OPM is at 1-888-767-6738 (TTY 711); for military retirees, DFAS is at 1-800-321-1080.
A tax preparer can explain the tax on any payment that comes to you. These numbers are also on Who to call.
The rules, phone numbers and web addresses in this book were checked against the agencies’, courts’ and organizations’ own pages in October 2026. Where a rule differs by state, the book names one state as an example. Check anything you rely on with the office itself.
From Book 3: Their Money
This page has the short answer and the closing lists from chapter 2. The full chapter explains, in plain words, what exists, what to ask, and who can answer. The book covers months 1 to 12 after the death.
Questions near this one
Other questions on related subjects, from this book and the others.
- How do I protect myself personally? Book 2, Being in Charge
- Who tells Social Security and the other offices? Book 1, The First Month
- Who files the final tax return, and when? Book 3, Their Money
- What happens to a 401(k) or IRA, and who pays tax on it? Book 3, Their Money
Hear when Their Money is out
A short note when each book is out. Five or six emails a year at most. You can unsubscribe whenever you like.