Funeral Assistance and Social Security Inheritance: 15 Critical Tips Family Members Must Know

After a loved one passes away, many family members are unaware that there are hidden assets in social security and housing funds that can be claimed. The social security department will not notify you proactively, and missing the deadline means losing thousands of dollars. Here are the key matters that must be completed within the specified time frame.

**Immediate Actions (Month of Death)**

Funeral subsidies and condolence payments will not be transferred automatically. You must bring the death certificate and personally go to the social security bureau to handle the procedures to receive them. At the same time, the income tax declaration for the month of death requires bringing the death certificate to the tax bureau to process tax exemption; otherwise, you may be overtaxed. These two matters cannot be delayed and should be completed as soon as possible.

**Critical Deadlines Within 30 Days**

Unclaimed funds in the pension account can be inherited, but inheritance notarization must be completed within 30 days. If the deadline is missed, the remaining balance in the account will be confiscated and cannot be recovered. If social security was paid in another city, the pension account can also be transferred to the heir’s name by handling the transfer procedures at the local social security bureau.

**Hidden Assets in Medical Insurance and Social Security Card**

Family members who have paid medical insurance for at least 15 years can apply for a one-time medical subsidy, which can be up to 30,000 yuan. Many people are unaware of this. The remaining balance on the social security card can be withdrawn at a bank by bringing the death certificate and ID card; some banks may also require a notarized inheritance certificate.

**Housing Fund Withdrawal and Loan Issues**

Funds in the housing fund account can be fully withdrawn by family members, but all procedures must be completed within one year; overdue procedures will result in freezing. If there is an outstanding housing loan before death, repayment must continue; defaulting on payments will directly affect the children’s eligibility for government jobs and future loan applications.

**Dual Inheritance of Pension Insurance**

Family members can apply to withdraw the funds in the personal pension account if less than 15 years of pension insurance contributions have been made, usually receiving several ten thousand yuan. Many people do not know that the money in the personal pension account (including contributions from the employer) can also be inherited, effectively allowing them to receive double benefits—one of the deepest hidden advantages.

**Automatic Deduction Traps for Work Injury and Allowances**

Work injury subsidies and senior allowances will not be automatically discontinued. If family members do not proactively report, any overpaid funds will eventually be recovered by the social security department. If death was caused by a work injury, remember to separately claim the work injury death subsidy, which is currently calculated as 20 times the per capita wage. This money must not be missed.

**Unemployment Benefits and Other Account Balances**

Remaining funds in unemployment benefit accounts can also be claimed. Bring proof of employment relationship to the social security department to receive the final payment.

**Hidden Deduction Rules**

Social security premiums owed during life will be directly deducted from the estate. If unpaid in time, it will affect the normal disbursement of funeral subsidies.

**Time Window Warning**

All these procedures must be completed within 3 months. If exceeded, family members will at least lose 50,000 to 80,000 yuan in subsidies and benefits. Many family members are unaware of this deadline and end up missing the opportunity to claim.

It is recommended to forward this checklist to family groups, especially households with elderly members. Save this information in advance so it can be used in emergencies. Funeral subsidies and inheritance of assets are life-saving funds—do not let complicated procedures cause you to waste them unnecessarily.