Final answer:
The Social Security Survivor Benefit is based on the Primary Insurance Amount of the deceased, reflecting the contributions they made to the Social Security system during their lifetime.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Social Security Survivor Benefit is based on the Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) of the deceased. Under the Social Security program, survivor benefits are designed to provide financial assistance to family members of workers who have passed away and have paid into the Social Security system through payroll taxes. These benefits support not only the elderly but also children and disabled members who were dependent on the income of the deceased.
The amount of the survivor benefit is calculated based on the earnings of the decedent, specifically their average indexed monthly earnings (AIME) which is used to determine their PIA. The PIA is a measure of the benefit amount one is entitled to based on their own work record. Therefore, when a worker dies, the Social Security Survivor benefits paid to family members like widows or dependent children are reflective of the contributions made by the deceased during their lifetime.