What happens to your Social security when the recipient dies.Is the balance passed on to your spouse or does it just shut down

Hi,

Social Security is an insurance program. As such, paying into Social Security doesn't guarantee that you will receive anything in return. The Social Security taxes that you pay do not go into a personal account that can be passed on to anyone after you die. The only way that you can receive payments based on the contributions (i.e. taxes) that you pay into the program is if you qualify for Social Security disability or retirement benefits, and the only way that a family member could receive payments in the event of your death is if they qualify for survivor benefits.

Best, Jerry