Because you are under 18, the benefits will be paid to your guardian, not you. Also, in a case just decided in the area I live, the SSA sued a young person (now 19 and in college) and her guardian for repayment of monies paid. The persons parents were killed when the she was 9 and her aunt collected the SS benefits for the child till she turned 18. About a year ago a story in a local newspaper made liight of this and how wonderful the aunt was because she saved every penny received from SS over the years for the childs education. It was one of those heart warming do good stories, poor family saves up so disadvantaged child can attend major U.S. university. The SSA sued claiming that the survivor benefits were for day to day expensed in raising the child, not to be put away for later. The SSA won in court and took back over $30,000 from the recipient. If you want to save the money for later, don't tell anyone.