The Social Security Death Index is an index of Social Security Death records. You can find the following information in the Social Security Death Index: the individual's name and Soundex code, birth date, death date, Social Security number and state where it was issued. Seventy-seven percent of the records contain the Zip Code of the individual's last known residence and the primary location associated with it. Fifteen percent of the records contain the Zip Code of the address where the death benefit payment was sent and the primary location associated with it. The Social Security Death Index lists the people that collected a final Social Security Death payment (it was sent to their next of kin) at the time of their death. The index covers those final benefits from 1932 to the present. If you are looking for someone that most likely died between those years, you should check out this index. If you are able to find the individual that you are looking for, you can write to the Social Security Administration and request a photocopy of the person’s SS5. This form is the form that was filled out by the person when they filed to obtain a social security number. You must include the fee of $7.00 with your letter. In your letter, be sure to include the person’s name, their death date and their social security number. All of these things are available in the index. You must also, when you write to the Social Security Administration state that the person’s SS5 that you want to obtain a copy of, is DECEASED.

Social Security Death Index - search this index to find your ancestors

This index is also available at a number of websites.  Just go to your favorite browser and enter "SSDI".