Social Security spousal vs. survivor benefits when spouse dies - will my payment amount change?

When your spouse passes away, you no longer receive spousal benefits - those end. Instead, you'll have a choice between your own retirement benefit or the survivor benefit (which can be up to 100% of what your husband received or was eligible to receive). The rules are different for survivor benefits compared to spousal benefits. If you haven't started claiming yet when he passes, you have more flexibility. You could take reduced survivor benefits as early as age 60, then switch to your own benefit later if it would be higher (especially if you wait until your FRA or age 70). Or you could take your own reduced retirement benefit early, then switch to unreduced survivor benefits at your FRA. If you're already receiving benefits when he passes, you'll generally receive the higher of either your current benefit or the survivor benefit you're eligible for.

my mom went thru this exact thing!! when my dad died she was already getting the spousal benefit thing but then ssa automatically switched her to survivors benefits the next month. she didnt have to do anything they just did it and she got more money. good luck!!

I've worked with Social Security rules for years, and I can clarify this for you. When a spouse dies, spousal benefits end completely, and survivor benefits become available instead. Here's a breakdown of your specific situation: 1. If your husband passes away before you've claimed any benefits: - You can claim survivor benefits as early as age 60 (reduced amount) - You can claim full survivor benefits (100% of his benefit) at your FRA - You can claim your own retirement benefit at any point from 62-70 2. If your husband passes after you've already started receiving spousal benefits: - Your spousal benefits will end - You'll automatically be considered for survivor benefits - If the survivor benefit exceeds what you were receiving, you'll get the higher amount Important strategy point: With survivor benefits, you have the unique option to take ONE benefit type early (reduced) and switch to the other at a later date when it maximizes. For example, you could take reduced survivor benefits at 60, then switch to your own retirement benefit at 70 (if it would be higher by then). This flexibility doesn't exist with regular retirement and spousal benefits for people born after 1/1/1954.

DOESNT ANYBODY READ THE ACTUAL SSA RULES??? Widow benefits are COMPLETLY different from spousal!!!! I spent 3 WEEKS trying to get this straight when my Jerry passed. The SSA phone people told me 3 DIFFERENT THINGS every time I called!!!! They even calculated my benefit wrong TWICE!!!! Had to go to the actual office to get it fixed!!!! THEY DONT EVEN KNOW THEIR OWN RULES!!!!

I went through this exact situation last year when my husband passed. The most important thing to know is that you need to contact Social Security directly when your spouse dies - although hospitals sometimes report deaths, you can't assume they'll know. I spent DAYS trying to get through on the phone - constant busy signals or being disconnected after waiting for hours. I finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an agent within 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU Once I got through, the SSA agent explained my options clearly - I could take reduced survivor benefits immediately or wait for full benefits at my FRA. They also explained I couldn't receive both my retirement and survivor benefits simultaneously - it's always the higher of the two. The agent was really helpful once I actually reached one.

this is confusing... I thought social security was just one thing but now there's all these different types?? my brain hurts lol

To answer your specific example: If you claimed early at 63 and were receiving a reduced spousal benefit of $1,850, then when your husband passes away, you would NOT go back to just your personal benefit. Instead, you'd be eligible for survivor benefits. Since you're already receiving benefits, the SSA would automatically evaluate if the survivor benefit would be higher than what you're currently receiving. If it is (which is likely in your case since survivor benefits can be up to 100% of your husband's benefit), they would adjust your payment to the higher amount. My advice is to create an account on my.ssa.gov if you haven't already, so you can see your exact benefit estimates. Also, consider consulting with a financial advisor who specializes in Social Security planning - the right claiming strategy can mean tens of thousands of dollars difference over your lifetime.

my aunt said she just took whatever they gave her and later found out she could of gotten more money if she waited!!! dont trust what they tell you at first!!!

To answer your follow-up about finding advisors who understand Social Security: Look for financial advisors who have the RSSA certification (Registered Social Security Analyst) or who specifically advertise Social Security claiming strategies as a specialty. Many CFPs (Certified Financial Planners) now focus on this area too, since it's become such an important part of retirement planning. You can also try the National Social Security Association website to find an advisor. Regarding contacting SSA, when my husband passed away, I did need to provide his death certificate. I called the main SSA number after trying for days, but kept getting disconnected. That's when I found Claimyr, which finally got me through. The 20-minute wait was so much better than the constant busy signals I was getting before.