TN 37 (03-16)

PR 01105.026 Minnesota

A. PR 16-068 Status of Child Conceived by Artificial Means after the NH Death

DATE: January 22, 2016

1. SYLLABUS

During the last three years of his life and at the time of his death, the NH was domiciled in Minnesota. It is our opinion that the intestacy laws of the State of Minnesota are applicable in this case. Although a parent-child relationship exists in some circumstances of assisted reproduction, Minnesota’s current intestacy law explicitly excludes children of assisted reproduction that are posthumously conceived stating that a parent-child relationship does not exist between a child of assisted reproduction and another person unless the child of assisted reproduction is in gestation prior to the death of such person. The children were not in gestation until October 2013, which was three months after the NH’s death in July 2013. In this case, the posthumously conceived children could not inherit from the NH under Minnesota law and the children are not entitled to CIB on the NH’s earnings.

2. OPINION

Question Presented

You asked us whether the Number Holder’s (NH’s) two posthumously conceived children have inheritance rights under the applicable State’s intestacy law and therefore would be entitled to child’s insurance benefits (CIB) on the NH’s earnings record.

Short Answer

It is our opinion that the intestacy laws of the State of Minnesota are applicable and that the posthumously conceived children could not inherit from the NH under Minnesota law. As such, the children are not entitled to CIB on the NH’s earnings.

Background

The NH married A~ in Minnesota in April 2012. The NH and A~ resided together in Minnesota until the NH’s death, which was in July 2013. However, A~ later conceived two of the NH’s children through artificial means. Shortly before beginning treatment for leukemia in June 2010, the NH had deposited samples of his semen at a sperm bank for cryopreservation. A~ underwent in vitro fertilization in October 2013 and gave birth to twins, B~ and L~, in May 2014. In December 2014, A~ filed an application seeking CIB on the NH’s earnings record for B~ and L~.

Discussion

An individual may be eligible for CIB if he is the “child” of the insured as defined in section 216(e) of the Act, and was dependent upon the insured individual at the time of his death. Social Security Act (Act) § 202(d)(1)(C), 42 U.S.C. § 402(d)(1)(C); 20 C.F.R. § 404.350.[1] As relevant here, in determining the child-parent relationship status for the purposes of CIB, the agency looks to the intestacy law of the State in which the insured individual was domiciled at the time of his death. Act § 216(h)(2)(A), 42 U.S.C. § 416(h)(2)(A); 20 C.F.R. § 404.355(a)(1); see also Astrue v. Capato ex rel. B.N.C., 132 S.Ct. 2021 (2012); POMS GN 00306.001(C)(1)(c) (a child conceived by artificial means after the insured’s death can only be entitled to CIB if he has inheritance rights under applicable state intestacy law).

Although you requested our analysis of intestacy under North Dakota law, we do not have any information suggesting that the NH resided anywhere other than Minnesota during the last three years of his life. The NH and A~ were both residents of Minnesota when they married in April 2012, and they continued living there together in Minnesota until the NH’s death in July 2013.[2] At the time of his death, the NH was domiciled in Minnesota. Accordingly, the child-relationship status of B~ and L~ should be determined under Minnesota law.

In determining whether a natural child can inherit the insured’s property, the agency applies the version of state law that is in effect when the claim is being adjudicated. 20 C.F.R. § 404.355(b)(4).[3] For the purpose of intestate successions, Minnesota requires the existence of a parent-child relationship as statutorily defined. Minn. Stat. § 524.2-116. In 2010, the Minnesota legislature enacted provisions specifically addressing children conceived by assisted reproduction. See Minn. Stat. § 524.2-120. Although a parent-child relationship exists in some circumstances of assisted reproduction, Minnesota’s current intestacy law explicitly excludes children of assisted reproduction that are posthumously conceived:

a parent-child relationship does not exist between a child of assisted reproduction and another person unless the child of assisted reproduction is in gestation prior to the death of such person. Minn. Stat. § 524.2-120(10).

B~ and L~ were not in gestation until October 2013, which was three months after the NH’s death in July 2013. Accordingly, B~ and L~ could not inherit from the NH under Minnesota’s intestacy law and are not eligible for CIB under the Act.

Conclusion

Since B~ and L~ could not inherit from the NH under Minnesota intestacy law, they are not eligible for CIB under the Act.

John J. Lee

Regional Chief Counsel

Region VIII, Denver

By: Jessica Milano

Assistant Regional Counsel

 


Footnotes:

[1]

. The Act also contains other eligibility criteria for CIB including that the child must file an application; the child must be unmarried and meet certain age requirements; and the insured individual must be “fully or currently insured” at the time of death. See Act § 202(d)(1)(A), (B), 42 U.S.C. 402(d)(1)(A), (B). These criteria appear to be satisfied here.

[2]

. Following the NH’s death, A~ continued to reside in G~, Minnesota with B~ and L~.

[3]

. However, if the child does not qualify for CIB under the state law that was in effect at the time of adjudication of the claim, the agency will apply the state law in effect at the time the insured died, or any version of state law in effect from the first month for which the child could be entitled to benefits until final adjudication of the claim. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.355(b)(4). This provision may be relevant where state laws are amended between the insured’s death and the adjudication of the CIB claim. Here, current version of the dispositive statue, Minn. Stat. § 524.2-120, has been in effect since 2010.


To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/1501105026
PR 01105.026 - Minnesota - 03/24/2016
Batch run: 03/28/2016
Rev:03/24/2016