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Official resources, in one place
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Benefits and retirement
Use SSA for survivor eligibility and payment coordination. Use IRS Publication 590-B for inherited IRA and required distribution rules. The Department of Labor retirement hub provides workplace plan information.
Sources for this section
- SSA: Who can get survivor benefits(opens in a new tab)Last checked 2026-11-08
- SSA: Survivor payments and other benefits(opens in a new tab)Last checked 2026-11-08
- IRS Publication 590-B: Inherited IRAs and distributions(opens in a new tab)Last checked 2026-11-08
- U.S. Department of Labor: Retirement benefits(opens in a new tab)Last checked 2026-11-08
Taxes and estate responsibilities
Use Publication 501 to review filing status and the IRS deceased-person hub for final returns and estate responsibilities. For a state tax agency or court, choose your state in the directory.
Sources for this section
- IRS Publication 501: Filing status(opens in a new tab)Last checked 2026-11-08
- IRS: Deceased person and estate responsibilities(opens in a new tab)Last checked 2026-11-08
Consumer and community information
The CFPB provides surviving-spouse and debt resources. ACL's Eldercare Locator provides a location-based way to search for community support for older adults and families. Investor.gov explains how to check an investment professional.
Sources for this section
- CFPB: Help for surviving spouses(opens in a new tab)Last checked 2026-11-08
- CFPB: Responsibility for a spouse's debts(opens in a new tab)Last checked 2026-11-08
- Administration for Community Living: Eldercare Locator(opens in a new tab)Last checked 2026-11-08
- SEC Investor.gov: Check an investment professional(opens in a new tab)Last checked 2026-11-08