Can Social Security predict my widow benefits at age 60 before I'm eligible?
I lost my husband unexpectedly last summer at age 52, and our 17-year-old son is currently receiving survivor benefits at the 75% rate until he graduates high school this June. I'm trying to map out my long-term financial strategy and wondering if SSA can give me an estimate of MY survivor benefit amount when I turn 60 (still 8 years away). I understand I'd be taking it at the reduced rate (71.5%), but that's okay. My husband and I were fortunate to build a solid investment portfolio with the plan to semi-retire around 57-58 anyway. I'll probably claim survivor benefits at 60, then switch to my own retirement benefit later when it makes financial sense. Has anyone gone into an SSA office or called to get this kind of future benefit estimate? Can they even calculate this that far in advance? I tried using the calculators online but they don't seem to work well for widow benefits taken early.
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Carmen Reyes
First, sorry for your loss. I actually tried to do something similar last year. My wife passed and I wanted to know what my options would be down the road. The SSA can definitely give you an estimate! Just call and specifically ask for a "survivor benefit estimate at age 60" based on your husband's earnings record. They'll need his SSN and your marriage info, but they can run the numbers.
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StarSurfer
•That's exactly what I needed to know, thank you! Did you have to wait long on the phone? I've heard horror stories about being on hold for hours.
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Andre Moreau
Yes, they can give you this information. The amount will be based on your husband's Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) at the time of his death, or what he would have received at full retirement age if he hadn't claimed benefits yet. The 71.5% reduction for claiming at 60 is then applied to that amount. One thing to consider in your planning: if you work while receiving survivor benefits before your Full Retirement Age (FRA), you'll be subject to the earnings test. In 2025, you can earn up to $22,680 without reduction, but they'll withhold $1 in benefits for every $2 you earn above that limit. This might affect your strategy if you're planning to continue working.
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Zoe Christodoulou
•This is why I hate the SS system!! They punish you for working! My sister went thru this and basicaly had to choose between a part time job or getting her check. Its ridiculus that they dock you for trying to make ends meet when your spouse dies!!
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Jamal Thompson
I tried getting this info and spent TWO DAYS being transferred and disconnected. Then when I finally got someone they said they couldn't tell me without my husband's death certificate which I had already sent them THREE TIMES. Just a heads up you might want to use Claimyr (claimyr.com) to reach SSA faster. My neighbor told me about it after my frustrating experience. You can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU. Got me through to an actual person in 20 minutes instead of waiting for hours or getting disconnected. The agent was able to confirm they had my documents and gave me my widower estimate on the spot.
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Mei Chen
•Thanks for the tip! I was just about to ask how to get through to someone. My mom's been trying to get an estimate for weeks with no luck.
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CosmicCadet
Ive been a widow for 5 yrs now. One thing nobody told me is that when you get the estimate remember that any COLA increases between now and when you turn 60 will be added to that amount. So whatever number they give you will probably be higher by the time you actually claim! My estimate was about $300 less than what I actually got when I finally turned 60 last year.
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StarSurfer
•Oh that's a really good point about the COLAs! I hadn't thought about that. So the estimate they give now would be the minimum I'd receive, and it could actually be higher by the time I reach 60. That's encouraging!
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Liam O'Connor
Im sorry but isnt SSI different from survivor benefits? My aunt gets SSI and thats for disabled people i think? or is that SSDI? Im confused about which one youre asking about...
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Andre Moreau
•You're thinking of different programs. The original poster is asking about survivor benefits, which are paid to widows/widowers and dependent children when a worker dies. SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is a needs-based program for people with limited income and resources who are disabled, blind, or 65+. SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) is for disabled workers who have paid into the system. All three are administered by the Social Security Administration but have different eligibility requirements and funding sources.
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Zoe Christodoulou
You mentioned letting your own benefit grow and claiming it later - just so you know, that's definitely the right strategy in most cases! I did exactly what you're planning. Took my late husband's survivor benefit at 60, then switched to my own retirement benefit at 70. My own benefit had grown SO MUCH by waiting those 10 years (8% per year plus COLAs after FRA). Just make sure they explain the exact month when it makes sense to switch - it's not always exactly at 70.
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StarSurfer
•That's so helpful to hear from someone who's actually done this strategy! Did you find it complicated to switch from survivor benefits to your own retirement benefit? Was there any gap between payments?
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Zoe Christodoulou
•The switch was pretty smooth actually! I called SSA about 3 months before I wanted to make the change. They helped me pick the optimal month based on my earnings record. There was no gap in payments. The only hiccup was they accidentally sent both benefits for one month and then I had to pay one back. Just keep good records of everything!
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Carmen Reyes
When my wife died in 2020 I was taking care of my granddaughter and couldn't get to the SSA office during the pandemic. When I finally went to get estimates, they calculated everything and even showed me charts comparing different claiming ages. So yes, they can definitely tell you these numbers! Bring your marriage certificate, his death certificate, and your ID.
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Mei Chen
this whole system is so complicated! my husband died last month and i have no idea what im going to get. i should probably do what your doing and figure it out early but im still dealing with all the funeral expenses and paperwork. why cant they just make this stuff simple??
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Andre Moreau
•I'm very sorry for your recent loss. Please know that you likely qualify for a one-time death benefit payment of $255 from Social Security if you were living with your husband when he passed. Also, if you have minor children, they may be eligible for survivor benefits immediately. You don't have to figure everything out about your future benefits right now, but applying for any current benefits should be done within the first few months as some benefits are time-sensitive.
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