Social Security Death Index:
Common Misconceptions

The use of the Social Security Death Master File is not without its problems. Because updated data is produced by the Social Security Administration on a quarterly basis, and perhaps because the database is provided to the public through several private and commercial entities, there is more misunderstanding about this particular genealogical index than any other sold commercially. This misunderstanding has resulted in a number of misconceptions about the Social Security Death Master File. Here are a few of the most common:

The Social Security Death Master File contains records of everyone who has died in the United States.

NO. Because this data was produced by the Social Security Administration, the database only concerns itself with those individuals who were involved with the Social Security program. Those who did not have cards are not in the file.

The Social Security Death Master File contains death records for everyone who possessed a Social Security card while living.

NO. Individuals were added to the file as their deaths were reported to the Administration. This often occurred when family members applied for a lump sum benefit at death. If the SSA was not informed of a person's death, then they are not on file, whether they had a Social Security Card or not.

The Social Security Death Master File contains information on the birthplace of individuals.

NO. Certain ranges of Social Security numbers have been assigned to particular states. By referring to these ranges, many computer programs will list the state where an individual was residing or the state where they received their Social Security Card. This may or may not be the location where the individual was born.

The Social Security Death Master File only contains those individuals whose relatives received a lump sum death benefit from the SSA at death.

NO. To be included in the file, an individual's death must have been reported to the Social Security Administration. Individuals may report the death of a relative and not apply for benefits. Many funeral directors will notify the SSA as a service to families of the deceased.

The Social Security Death Master File contains maiden names for women.

MAYBE. The database generally lists names of individuals as they appear legally at time of death. Therefore, a married woman is generally listed under her married name. The maiden name may be listed if the woman had divorced or had never married at all.

The Social Security Death Master File lists death dates and places for each individual listed.

MAYBE. The file does contain zip codes of last residence, but this field was left blank for nearly a quarter of the databases' entries. This zip code may or may not represent the area where the death took place. In addition, most entries before 1987 did not include a full death date, but only the month and year of death.

The Social Security Death Master File contains information on deaths since the program began in 1935.

YES and NO. Of the deaths contained in the index, the vast majority occur after the SSA began maintaining the file electronically in 1962.

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