What happens to Social Security and pension when a spouse dies in a nursing home?

You will likely now be able to change matters with Social Security so that you, as the spouse can receive the amount your husband was getting instead of your own, perhaps smaller amount. You should get good advice on this and I would speak to an elder law attorney. Meanwhile, your husband's account may be frozen while social security claims whatever amount they paid for the month in which your spouse died. You must call wherever his pension comes from. Some will have widow benefits and some do not. If you have a child or good friend who is adept at this financial stuff enlist the aid, otherwise spend an hour of time with an elder law attorney to find out what steps to take next.

Was the NH the payee? If so, nothing has to be done about SS. The funeral home informs Social Security concerning the death. The checks will stop and the NH, if payee, will deal with that. Pension is different. The former employer will need to be informed and probably a death certificate sent. If they sent the NH a check in error and the NH is payee, it will be up to the employer to see the check is returned. This is why I made the NH the payee.