Can my wife switch to my higher SS benefits after taking early retirement if I die?

Yes, your wife can switch to survivor benefits based on your record if you pass away, even if she's already collecting her own reduced retirement benefits. As a widow, she would be eligible for up to 100% of your benefit amount (what you were receiving when you died). The fact that she took her own benefits early doesn't impact her survivor benefits eligibility, though there are age-related reductions if she claims survivor benefits before her FRA. This is actually one of the few scenarios where someone can switch from one benefit to another under current SS rules.

My mom went thru this exact thing!!! She took her SS at 63 and when dad died 2 yrs later she got his full amount. SS office told her survivors benefits are different from regular retirement. She had to bring in death certificate and marriage license to SSA office. took about 6 weeks to process everything

There's actually a lot of nuance to your question that's important to understand: 1. If your wife claims her retirement at 65, she'll get approximately 86.7% of her full benefit amount (permanent reduction) 2. If you pass away, her survivor benefit would be based on YOUR full benefit amount, but will be reduced if she claims it before her FRA 3. If she's already past FRA when you pass away, she would receive 100% of your benefit amount 4. If she's still under FRA when you pass away, there's a reduction schedule for survivor benefits (different from retirement benefit reductions) The good news is that she can absolutely switch to the higher benefit. This is one of the few remaining planning opportunities in Social Security since the law changes in 2015.

they WILL TAKE AWAY her smaller benefit when she gets ur larger one. SSA doesnt let u collect both at same time, its ONE OR THE OTHER. my sister tried to get both her own and her late husbands but they wouldnt let her. just so u no!!!

I've been through this process and can share some advice. When your wife is deciding when to take her own benefits, she should consider how much higher your benefit is compared to hers. If there's a big difference, it might actually make sense for her to claim early on her own record since she'll eventually switch to your higher amount as a survivor benefit. Also, don't forget that if you delay your own benefits past FRA up to age 70, you'll increase not only your benefit but potentially her future survivor benefit as well. Each year you delay past FRA adds 8% to your benefit amount (and her potential survivor benefit). One thing that helped me tremendously was using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to actually reach a real SSA agent to discuss my specific situation. Phone wait times were ridiculous - I was getting disconnected after hours of waiting. Claimyr got me through to an agent in about 15 minutes, and they answered all my survivor benefit questions. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU

THE SSA MAKES EVERYTHING SO CONFUSING ON PURPOSE!!!! I lost my husband in 2023 and they STILL haven't processed my survivor application correctly after FIVE VISITS to the office. They keep telling me different things every time I go in. One rep says I can get survivors now, another says I have to wait. NOBODY KNOWS WHAT THEY'RE DOING THERE!!!

Just to add some additional clarity: 1. If your wife claims at 65, her benefit will be reduced to about 86.7% of her Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) 2. If you pass away when she's already at her FRA, she would receive 100% of your benefit amount 3. If you pass away when she's between 65-67, her survivor benefit would be reduced by a certain percentage based on exactly how many months she is away from her FRA 4. The reduction for widow(er) benefits is more generous than for regular retirement benefits - approximately 4.75% per year instead of 6.67% per year Your wife would automatically be evaluated for both benefits (her own and survivor) when she reports your death to SSA, and they would pay the higher of the two amounts.

Sorry but have u considered what happens if SHE dies first? My brother planned everything around him dying first and then his wife got cancer and passed before him. Completely different situation and he wasn't prepared at all for it financially. Not trying to be negative just realistic.

Since you're about to reach your FRA, here's something else to consider: If you haven't already applied for benefits, you might want to consider file and suspend strategy. You could file for your benefits at FRA, immediately suspend them to earn delayed retirement credits, while potentially allowing your wife to claim a spousal benefit if it's higher than her own reduced benefit at 65. Then if you pass away, her survivor benefit would include any delayed credits you earned. However, the rules around this are complex following the 2015 law changes, so I'd recommend getting personalized advice about your specific situation from SSA directly before making any decisions.