Can I switch SS survivor benefits between deceased spouses at FRA? Multiple spouse question

Yes, you CAN switch between survivor benefits from different deceased spouses, regardless of whether both were deceased when you started collecting. The key factor is that you're already on reduced survivor benefits from one spouse, and you want to switch to unreduced (100%) survivor benefits from another spouse at your FRA. The rule is: if you take REDUCED survivor benefits early (before FRA), you can still switch to FULL survivor benefits from another spouse when you reach FRA. The fact that both spouses were already deceased doesn't matter - what matters is the benefit type and your age. For your sister's situation with spousal benefits (not survivor), it's different. If she takes reduced spousal benefits from ex #1 at 62, she's generally stuck with that reduction factor even if she tries to switch to ex #2 later. She should compare both potential spousal benefits before filing and choose the higher one.

i went thru somthing similar w/ 2 deceased husbands....the ssa people gave me wrong info THREE TIMES about switching!! said i couldnt do it then i finaly got someone who knew the rules. your friend is right and that ssa person was WRONG. doesnt matter if both were dead when u started. u can start on 1 at 60 (reduced) and switch to other one at FRA (full). i did it last yr!!!!

Let me clarify these scenarios with precise Social Security rules: 1. Survivor Benefits Switching: Yes, you can absolutely switch from reduced survivor benefits on one spouse to full survivor benefits on another spouse when you reach FRA. This is permitted under what's sometimes called the "survivor benefit maximization strategy." The status of either spouse (alive or deceased) when you first claimed is irrelevant to your ability to switch. 2. Spousal Benefits Switching: For your sister's case, the deemed filing rules that took effect in 2016 complicate things. If she takes reduced spousal benefits from one ex-spouse at 62, she generally cannot switch to higher benefits from another ex-spouse later without the reduction following her. There's a specific exception only if the second ex-spouse wasn't yet eligible for benefits when she filed (meaning he wasn't 62 yet). Both these situations are addressed in POMS GN 00204.030 for those who want to reference the specific policy operations manual.

My mom tried to call ssa about a similar situation and couldn't get through for WEEKS!!! It's ridiculous how hard it is to get someone on the phone who knows what they're talking about!

wait im confused... what about if you were getting YOUR OWN retirement benefit? can you still switch to a dead spouse's survivor benefit later? asking for myself because i took mine at 62 and my husband died last year

These survivor benefit rules are SO CONFUSING!!! 😫 I've called SSA like 5 times and gotten different answers each time about switching between deceased spouses. One person told me I could only get benefits from my most recent spouse (WRONG), another said I couldn't switch at all once I started taking benefits (ALSO WRONG). The whole system is a mess. I wish they would train their employees better or at least have a clear explanation on their website. Why is it so hard to get consistent information??!! Sorry for the rant, just been dealing with this for 7 months and I'm at my wit's end.

I just wanted to thank everyone for all the helpful information! I feel so much better knowing I CAN switch to my second husband's survivor benefit when I reach FRA, regardless of when each spouse passed away. I've been stressing about this for weeks! I'll pass the information along to my sister about her spousal benefit situation too. It sounds like she should probably wait until her FRA if she wants to maximize her options, or at least carefully compare both ex-spouses' benefit amounts before making any decisions. I'm still nervous about dealing with SSA when the time comes to make the switch, but at least now I know what to expect and that I'm entitled to make this change. I really appreciate all your experiences and expertise!

I'm dealing with a somewhat similar situation and this thread has been incredibly helpful! My husband passed away 6 months ago, and I'm currently 61. I was planning to wait until my FRA at 67 to claim survivor benefits to get the full 100%, but I'm wondering if there's any advantage to claiming reduced survivor benefits now and then potentially switching later if I remarry and that spouse passes away. Does anyone know if the "switch at FRA" rule still applies if you're switching FROM survivor benefits TO different survivor benefits, rather than from your own retirement benefits to survivor benefits? The scenarios discussed here mostly seem to cover people who started with reduced survivor benefits early, but I'm curious about the strategy of waiting for full benefits versus claiming early and keeping options open. Also, has anyone had experience with getting written confirmation from SSA about these switching rules? Given all the conflicting information people seem to get over the phone, I'm thinking it might be worth getting something in writing before making any decisions.

I want to add some clarification about the timing aspects that might help others in similar situations. The switching rule for survivor benefits is indeed very favorable - you can take reduced survivor benefits from one deceased spouse early and then switch to full survivor benefits from another deceased spouse at your FRA. But there's an important timing consideration many people miss. When you switch at FRA, the new survivor benefit starts the month you reach FRA (or the month you apply, if later). So if you're planning to switch, make sure to apply for the new benefit in the month you turn your FRA age, not months later. SSA won't make it retroactive beyond the month you reach FRA. Also, for anyone dealing with this situation, I'd suggest keeping detailed records of your conversations with SSA representatives - dates, names, what was discussed. Given how many people report getting conflicting information, having a paper trail can be really helpful if you need to escalate or correct misinformation later. The survivor benefit switching rules are actually quite generous compared to other Social Security provisions, but the complexity means even SSA staff sometimes get it wrong. Don't give up if the first person you talk to seems uncertain - these are specialized situations that not every representative handles regularly.