Can I claim Social Security survivor benefits at 63 when I don't financially need them?

Yes, she absolutely can and SHOULD claim survivor benefits! There are NO asset or income restrictions for Social Security survivor benefits. These aren't welfare - they're EARNED benefits based on her husband's work record. The only income that affects Social Security is earned income from working, not investment or retirement income. At 63, she would get approximately 79.6% of her husband's full retirement age (FRA) benefit amount. If he was already collecting when he passed, she would get what he was receiving (including any delayed retirement credits). If she waits until her own FRA (probably 66 + a few months), she'd get 100% of what he was receiving or would have received at his FRA. Tell her to contact SSA right away - survivor benefits can only be paid from the time of application, not retroactively from the date of death.

Your sister should definately apply!!! My mother was in the EXACT same situation (except she was 61 when my dad died). The social security office told her those survivor benefits are HERS by right. They don't check your bank accounts or assets for survivor benefits at all and who cares if she "needs" it? The govt will just waste that money if she doesn't claim it! Just a warning - it took my mom almost 3 months to get an appointment at our local office. The phone system is a NIGHTMARE and she got disconnected 8 times trying to call. She finally got thru after calling right when they opened at 8am.

One important strategic consideration for your sister: if her husband was a high earner who maximized his Social Security benefits, she should carefully consider WHEN she claims survivor benefits. Here's why: 1. If she claims at 63, she'll receive about 79.6% of his benefit amount for life 2. If she waits until her Full Retirement Age (likely 66 and 4 months for someone currently 63), she'll receive 100% of his benefit amount That's a difference of about 20.4% more monthly income for the rest of her life if she can wait approximately 3 years. Also, she should know that unlike regular retirement benefits, survivor benefits can be switched later. So if she has any earnings history of her own, she could potentially: - Take reduced survivor benefits now at 63 - Let her own retirement benefit grow until 70 - Switch to her own benefit at 70 if it would be higher Or alternatively: - Take her own reduced retirement benefit now if she qualifies - Switch to full survivor benefits at her FRA The optimal strategy depends on her own work history and financial situation. If she truly doesn't need the money immediately, waiting until FRA for survivor benefits might be the most advantageous option.

tell your sister to apply ASAP!! my husband passed 2 years ago and i waited 3 months to apply cause i was grieving and busy with everything else. big mistake!!! they only backpay 6 months max and i lost out on 3 weeks of payments i could have gotten. every $ counts these days with inflation so crazy

To add a slightly different perspective - your sister may want to consider the tax implications of taking survivor benefits while she doesn't need them. If she has substantial other income (which sounds likely), up to 85% of Social Security benefits become taxable. This doesn't mean not to take them, just to be aware that the effective value may be reduced by taxation if her income is high.

Thank you all for your helpful responses! I just got off the phone with my sister and shared all this information. She's going to apply right away - she had no idea there weren't any income/asset restrictions. We're going to try using that Claimyr service someone mentioned to get through on the phone since all the SSA offices near her have 2+ month appointment backlogs. I also explained the potential strategy of waiting until her FRA for the full 100% benefit, but she said she'd rather start receiving something now. She's planning to meet with her financial advisor next week to discuss the tax implications. Thanks again everyone - this community has been so helpful during a difficult time!

Social security is THEFT! They take our money our whole lives and then make it so complicated to get it back that half of people don't even get what they're entitled to! And what do you bet they'll change the rules again in a few years and cut benefits? The whole system is rigged!!