Debra Dausy: If no beneficiaries, what happens to Social Security payments?

My 46-year-old son died in July. He worked and paid into Social Security since he was 16. He was not married at the time of his death and had no children. I paid for his burial expenses. Then I checked to see if Social Security would pay me the small $255 burial benefit. But it is only payable to a spouse or child.

So all the money he paid into Social Security is down the drain.

Why is Social Security saying they have no money? I am sure there are many people, like my son, who pay in and never draw out. You would think whoever pays to bury someone would qualify for the small amount they pay for a death benefit.

Editor’s note: The Social Security Administration reports it will be able to meet all commitments through 2034.

This story was originally published September 2, 2015 at 6:07 PM with the headline "Debra Dausy: If no beneficiaries, what happens to Social Security payments?."