A question about social security benefits if you die
If you are single with no dependents and die before you are old enough to begin collecting, what is your estate entitled to? I ask, because I just found out in Canada under the Canada Pension Plan, you get a $2500 death benefit and that's it, even though you might have paid up to $135,000 into the plan over your lifetime.
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Or something very close to that.
If my husband were to die, I'd be able to collect the $270 and vice-versa. and that is abt. it as far as any sort of pay-offs go.
Had he a life insurance policy that is another issue altogether and has no effect on Social Security.
When my father died (over 20 years ago), my mother knew not what to do. They had never discussed it. I was horrified by the incident so much that I prearranged cremation for my husband and myself.
In hindsight, I am glad I prearranged. It was plain awful seeing a woman with a dead body on her hands, grief-stricken and not knowing what to do.
The cost at that time was abt. $1600.00 for both of us. Today it would easily cost twice that much so it was money well spent I hope. That hefty $270. (or whatever it is) is all your spourse would be able to get to help with funeral expenses is the idea. Some idea eh? It has not increased since my father died -- same amount today best I know. 
I guess my real reason behind it was I could see myself dead self somewhere and no one would pick up the tab for a dead me.
The idea of ending up in a potter's field somewhere does not appeal to me.
In any event, the issue is now a dead one and I no longer think or worry about it.
