Can I withdraw SS application after collecting early to ensure spouse gets 100% survivor benefits?

Yes, your understanding is correct about how early claiming affects survivor benefits. The SSA allows you to withdraw your application using Form SSA-521 within 12 months of first receiving benefits. You'll need to repay ALL benefits you've received so far (including any Medicare premiums or tax withholding). After that, it's as if you never filed, and your future survivor benefits for your spouse would be based on your FRA amount, not the reduced amount. This is definitely something to consider if maximizing survivor benefits is important to you.

I went through EXACTLY this situation last year!!! Filed early at 65, then panicked about my wife's survivor benefits. It's a NIGHTMARE dealing with SS but I did manage to withdraw my application. Took almost 6 weeks for them to process everything and I had to pay back about $4600. They don't make it easy - get ready for multiple calls and probably a visit to your local office. The worst part was getting through to anyone on the phone - spent THREE DAYS trying before I got a human being. But in the end it worked out - my application was withdrawn and I refiled at my FRA.

not sure why your so worried, your spouse gets whatever your getting when you die. my husband passed last year and i just got his check instead of mine since his was bigger. social security explains this pretty clear on there website

Try using Claimyr if you need to get through to SSA about this. I was in a similar situation (different issue but needed to speak to someone ASAP) and was able to get through in about 15 minutes instead of waiting for hours or getting disconnected. Their website is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU. Saved me so much frustration and I was able to get my issue resolved in one call.

I thinkkk your overthinking this. 82.5% of your benefit is still pretty good and you're already getting money now! Bird in hand worth two in bush as they say. What if you wait till FRA but then something happens and you don't get to enjoy any of your SS money? No guarantee any of us will be here tomorrow...

Wait I'm confused... if you already started collecting, can you really just "undo" it??? I thought once you start that's it forever?? Does anyone know if this withdrawal thing is a new policy? I started collecting at 62 (I'm 64 now) and never heard about this option!

This is a smart financial move if you can afford to repay what you've received. The Form SSA-521 (Request for Withdrawal of Application) must be submitted within 12 months of your initial entitlement. Since you've only been collecting for 2 months, you're well within the timeframe. Be very specific about your reason for withdrawal - protection of survivor benefits is a legitimate reason. Once processed, you'll need to repay all benefits received so far. After that, it's as if you never applied. One important thing to note: you only get ONE withdrawal opportunity in your lifetime. You cannot do this again in the future, so be certain this is what you want to do. Also, make sure you understand that this means you'll have no income from SS until you reapply. In your case, with the significant difference between your earnings history and your wife's, maximizing survivor benefits makes good financial sense.

THE SSA WEBSITE IS USELESS ON THIS TOPIC!!!! I spent HOURS trying to find clear information when I was in your situation. They don't want people to know about the withdrawal option because it creates more work for them. My advice - PRINT OUT Form SSA-521 and take it directly to your local office rather than mailing it. That way you get a receipt and confirmation they received it. Otherwise your form might sit in a pile somewhere for weeks!!! And good luck getting any status updates by phone - IMPOSSIBLE!!!

Just to clarify a technical point about survivor benefits: if your spouse claims survivor benefits before her own FRA, she would receive a reduced percentage (between 71.5% and 99% depending on how early she claims). But if she waits until her FRA, she'll receive 100% of your benefit amount - either your reduced benefit if you keep your early claim, or your full FRA benefit if you withdraw and later reapply. Also, remember that while you can withdraw now and reapply at your FRA (66 and 10 months), you could alternatively withdraw and then wait until age 70 to maximize your benefit (and subsequently your wife's survivor benefit). This would give you an additional 28.8% above your FRA amount through delayed retirement credits.