The Ins and Outs of Social Security Death Index

Social Security Death Index (SSDI) is a database containing basic information about deceased individuals who have been issued Social Security Numbers (SSN) and whose deaths have been reported to the Social Security Administration (SSA). It can help locate death, cemetery, and legal records, and even obituaries.

While Social Security Death Index is one of the largest databases available, it does not necessarily include the names of all deceased persons who have been issued social security numbers. Thus, not having the name or record of a person on the Social Security Death Index does not mean that the person is still living, only that his or her death has not been reported to the social security administration.

The database that is used for Social Security Death Index is called the Death Master File. In case a person claims that the Social Security Administration has mistakenly listed someone as deceased or needs to correct data and other details on the record, the local social security office will ask for proof before correcting the error. The local security office will then make the necessary corrections before providing the claimant with an SSA record verification document.

Searching Social Security Death Index

There are a few things you should know and keep in mind when searching Social Security Death Index.

• The residence at the time of a person’s death, properly referred to as address of record, in Social Security Death Index is not necessarily the place of death of the deceased.
• Social Security Death Index does not state the actual place of death of a person but the place where the last benefit was sent to. The last benefit pertains to the lump sum death benefit released after the demise of an individual.
• ZIP codes change through the years. The ZIP codes in Social Security Death Index are the ZIP codes at the time of death and may no longer be accurate.
• The state of issuance of social security number recorded in Social Security Death Index is not necessarily the state of residence at the time of its issuance.
• Certain codes or abbreviations appear on Social Security Death Index records. These are internal codes used by the Social Security Administration and are not relevant to researchers.

Social Security Death Index – How It All Began

The history of Social Security Death Index began with the signing of Social Security Act in 1935 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The act led to millions of U.S. residents applying and receiving social security numbers.

By 1937, the act was fully implemented and employees began getting credits for their retirement insurance benefits. The practice of withholding tax also began. In time, more sectors of the society began obtaining social security numbers including the military, legally-admitted aliens, and even newborns.

Electronic request for benefits however did not begin until 1962. Thus, deaths that occurred prior to 1962 are most likely not included in the database of Social Security Death Index.

Aside from a person’s social security number, Social Security Death Index can also provide you with other useful genealogical information: full name, date of birth, date of death, date and place of issuance of social security number, location where the last benefit was sent, and residence at the time of death. Social Security Death Index may also provide clues about parents’ names, maiden names, and the death beneficiaries’ residence.

You can read more about the social security death index at RecordsSiteReview's Death Records section.