What type of Social Security benefit is described as a one-time lump sum payment after a taxpayer's death?

The one-time lump sum payment after a taxpayer's death is classified as death benefits. This type of benefit is designed to provide financial assistance to the deceased's family or beneficiaries in the immediate aftermath of their passing. The death benefit is typically a straightforward payment intended to help cover funeral costs or other immediate expenses.

Retirement benefits are ongoing payments provided to individuals who have reached a certain age or have retired after fulfilling work-related criteria. Disability benefits offer financial assistance to individuals who are unable to work due to a qualifying disability, providing them with regular income. Survivor benefits, on the other hand, usually refer to ongoing payments made to the dependents of the deceased, rather than a one-time lump sum payment. Hence, the specific description of a one-time payment aligns accurately with death benefits.