Can my husband claim my SSDI survivor benefits then switch to his own Social Security at 70?

Yes, your husband could collect survivor benefits based on your record and then switch to his own retirement benefit at age 70. This is actually one of the smarter claiming strategies still available after the 2015 rule changes. If you were to pass away, he could claim survivor benefits as early as age 60 (or age 50 if disabled), though they would be reduced for claiming before his FRA. The reduction for survivor benefits is different than for retirement benefits - it's about 0.396% per month before FRA. He can then still allow his own retirement benefit to grow until age 70 and switch to that higher amount. The fact that he plans to retire at 62 doesn't affect this strategy at all - work status and benefit claiming are completely separate decisions in the eyes of the SSA. This strategy works because survivor benefits and his own retirement benefits are in different "buckets" according to Social Security rules.

I'm in almost the same situation!! I'm 61 on SSDI and my husband is 59 and we've been trying to figure this out too. When I called Social Security last month the rep told me survivor benefits are the same whether you're on disability or retirement benefits. But I couldn't get thru again to verify this with another person so idk if the first person was right???

The previous responses are mostly correct, but let me clarify a few technical details: 1. When a SSDI recipient passes away, their benefit essentially converts to a survivor benefit that eligible family members can claim. The calculation basis is the same whether the deceased was on SSDI or retirement benefits. 2. Your husband would be eligible for reduced survivor benefits at age 60, or full survivor benefits at his full retirement age (likely 67). 3. If he claims survivor benefits between 60-67, they'll be reduced, but that reduction ONLY affects the survivor benefit, not his future retirement benefit. 4. Your husband can switch to his own retirement benefit at ANY point after becoming eligible (62+), not just at 70. Age 70 is just optimal for maximizing his own benefit. 5. One important consideration: if your husband works while collecting survivor benefits before his FRA, the earnings test will apply. In 2025, he can earn up to about $22,320 without penalty, but benefits will be reduced $1 for every $2 earned above that threshold. This strategy (claim survivors, then switch to retirement) is one of the few remaining "claim now, claim more later" approaches still available after legislation passed in 2015.

Ive been trying to reach SSA for weeks to ask something similar and cant get through. My husbands on SSDI too but im already 67 so different situation i guess

Just wanted to add my experience - my wife passed last year while on SSDI and I started getting survivor benefits right away (I'm 63). The amount was based on her disability payment. No problems or confusion from SSA on this. I'm planning to switch to my own benefit at 70 just like you're thinking about for your husband.

Nobody here is mentioning the MOST IMPORTANT THING! If your husband is going to keep working past 62 he NEEDS to understand how much the earnings limit will affect survivor benefits if he claims them before his FRA!! The SSA will take back $1 for every $2 he earns above the limit (around $22k in 2025 I think?). So depending on how much he makes, the survivor benefit might be reduced to ZERO until he reaches full retirement age! I know because my brother got BURNED by this when his wife died - he was 61 and claimed survivor benefits but was still working making about $80k and ended up getting NOTHING until he hit 67!!

wait im confused now... so if her husband takes survivor benefits at 60 but keeps working until 62, would he lose some of those payments? and does the survivor benefit amount depend on when she dies or is it always the same?

Thanks everyone for all the helpful information! Based on your responses, it sounds like our plan makes sense. My husband will probably wait until he actually retires at 62 to claim any survivor benefits (if I pass away before then) to avoid the earnings test issues. Then he can still switch to his own benefit at 70. Can anyone recommend the best way to get this strategy confirmed officially with SSA? Should we make an appointment at our local office or is there a specific department we should call?