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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. |
