Q. My wife and I are both in our 70s, healthy and receiving Social Security benefits. My question is about what needs to be paid back if someone dies. We receive our direct deposits monthly towards the end of the month. If a spouse passes away between one month’s payment and the next one, is the next payment okay for the surviving spouse to keep? — Retiree A. A lot will depend on the timing. The Social Security website says you must return the benefit received for the month of death and any later months. For example, it says, if the person died in July, you must return the benefits paid in Aug…