A widow or widower age 60 or older (age 50 or older if they have a disability). A surviving divorced spouse, under certain circumstances. A widow or widower at any age who is caring for the deceased's child who is under age 16 or has a disability and receiving child's benefits.
Who benefits from the death benefit?
In most cases, the beneficiaries of a death benefit from life insurance are your partner, children, or other close loved ones, though you can technically name any person or organization as a beneficiary. When naming more than one beneficiary, you'll specify how much of the death benefit you want each to receive.
Who claims the death benefit?
If an estate exists, the executor named in the will or the administrator named by the Court to administer the estate applies for the death benefit. The executor should apply for the benefit within 60 days of the date of death.