How to Claim SOCSO After a Death in Malaysia
If your loved one was employed in the private sector, they were almost certainly contributing to SOCSO — the Social Security Organisation, also known as PERKESO. What many families don't realise is that SOCSO provides significant financial benefits to dependants of contributors who pass away, regardless of whether the death was work-related or not.
Here's what you may be entitled to and how to claim it.
Two schemes, two sets of benefits
SOCSO operates two separate schemes that apply after a death, depending on the cause:
Employment Injury Scheme — for work-related deaths
If your loved one died as a result of a workplace accident, while commuting to or from work, or from a recognised occupational disease, this scheme applies. There is no minimum contribution period — coverage begins on the employee's very first day of work.
Invalidity Scheme — for all other deaths
If your loved one died from any other cause — illness, accident outside of work, or any other reason — this scheme applies, provided they had made sufficient contributions to SOCSO and passed away before the age of 60.
In practice, most families will be claiming under the Invalidity Scheme.
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What you may be entitled to
Funeral Benefit
A one-off payment of up to RM3,000 to help cover funeral expenses. Available under both schemes and identical in amount. SOCSO aims to pay this within 3 days of complete documentation being submitted.
Survivors' Pension (Invalidity Scheme)
A recurring monthly payment to eligible dependants, calculated as a percentage of the deceased's Average Monthly Wage:
The minimum monthly pension is RM475. The maximum is RM3,900 per month based on the statutory wage ceiling of RM6,000.
Dependants' Benefit (Employment Injury Scheme)
For work-related deaths, eligible dependants receive a monthly benefit calculated at 90% of the deceased's Average Daily Wage, subject to a minimum of RM30 per day and a maximum of RM178.50 per day. The split among dependants follows the same proportions as the Survivors' Pension above.
Eligibility — the contribution requirement
For the Invalidity Scheme, the deceased must have made a minimum of 24 monthly contributions to SOCSO. The exact qualifying condition depends on their contribution history:
Full Qualifying Condition
Either 24 months of contributions within the 40 consecutive months before death, or contributions totalling at least two-thirds of the months between their first SOCSO registration and the date of death.
Reduced Qualifying Condition
If the Full Qualifying Condition is not met, the deceased qualifies if their total contributions equal at least one-third of the months between registration and death, provided total contributions are at least 24 months.
If the minimum is not met
If the deceased had made at least 12 monthly contributions but did not meet the 24-month minimum, dependants are entitled to a one-off Survivors' Grant — a lump-sum refund of the total contributions made plus statutory interest. The monthly pension does not apply.
For the Employment Injury Scheme, there is no minimum contribution period — even an employee on their first day of work is fully covered.
How to make the claim
Step 1 — Gather your documents
For both schemes you will need:
For work-related deaths, also prepare:
Step 2 — Visit the nearest SOCSO branch
Death claims must be submitted in person at any SOCSO branch office, or sent via registered post. Online submission through the ASSIST portal is not available for death claims — SOCSO officers need to verify original identity and relationship documents before authorising ongoing pension payments.
Step 3 — Submit and wait
Once all documents are received and verified, SOCSO aims to pay the Funeral Benefit within 3 days and the Survivors' Pension within 7 days. Payments are made directly to the claimant's bank account.
Don't miss the deadline — but don't panic if you have
Claims should be submitted within 3 years of the date of death. If submitted within this window, payments are backdated to the exact date of death — meaning the family receives a lump-sum covering all months since the passing before regular monthly payments begin.
Claims submitted after 3 years are not automatically rejected, but a written explanation for the delay must be included. Approval in these cases is at SOCSO's discretion.
A few things worth knowing
What if the employer didn't register or pay contributions correctly?
SOCSO still pays out. Coverage is tied to the existence of an employment contract, not employer compliance. Bring pay slips, bank statements or the employment contract as evidence of employment. SOCSO will calculate benefits based on actual wages earned and pursue the employer separately for unpaid contributions.
Are foreign workers covered?
Yes. Foreign workers have been covered under the Employment Injury Scheme since 2019 and under the Invalidity Scheme since 1 July 2024. Overseas dependants can receive monthly pension payments via international bank transfer, though foreign documents will need to be translated and consular-legalised.
What about self-employed individuals?
If your loved one opted into the Self-Employment Social Security Scheme (SPSPS), similar benefits may apply. Contact SOCSO directly to confirm eligibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does SOCSO cover deaths from natural causes?
Yes. Under the Invalidity Scheme, SOCSO covers death from any cause — not just work-related accidents — provided the deceased met the contribution requirements and died before age 60.
Can a surviving spouse remarry and still receive the pension?
Yes. Since 2005, the previous restriction terminating pensions upon remarriage was removed. A surviving spouse retains their pension for life regardless of marital status.
What happens to a child's share when they turn 21?
Their portion is reallocated among remaining eligible children. The spouse's share is unaffected. An exception applies for children in higher education — payments continue until completion of their first undergraduate degree — and for children with disabilities, whose payments continue for life.
Can dependent parents claim if there is a surviving spouse?
No. Parents are secondary dependants and can only claim if the deceased left neither a surviving spouse nor eligible children, regardless of financial dependency.
What if my loved one had fewer than 24 contributions?
If they had at least 12 monthly contributions, dependants are entitled to a one-off Survivors' Grant — a refund of all Invalidity Scheme contributions plus interest. The monthly Survivors' Pension does not apply.
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