Social Security survivor benefit timing - can my wife claim her SS at 62 and switch to my survivor benefits later?

This is such helpful info! My husband and I were just talking about this last week. Didn't realize survivors have more flexibility than spouses do!

That's very helpful - thank you! So if my benefit would be significantly higher than hers, it might make sense for her to take her own reduced benefit early and then switch to the survivor benefit at her FRA. I wasn't sure if the new rules from a few years ago eliminated this option.

So sorry for your loss. This is exactly what I'm afraid of - getting wrong information and missing out on thousands of dollars in benefits. Sometimes I think they train their people to give the wrong answers to save money. Did you ever figure out the best strategy for your situation?

Thanks. Yes I eventually got it sorted but only because I was stubborn and kept calling back. I took survivors at 60 since it was way more than my benefit would have been, but everyone's situation is different!

This strategy can work well when there's a significant difference between benefit amounts. Just be aware that taking her own benefit at 62 means she'll get approximately 70-75% of her full retirement age benefit. The reduction is permanent for her own benefit, but it doesn't affect the survivor benefit amount. Each case is different depending on work history, benefit amounts, and financial needs.

Great question! The earnings test does apply to survivor benefits taken before FRA. For 2025, if you're under FRA for the full year, SSA deducts $1 from benefits for each $2 earned above $22,750. In the year you reach FRA, they deduct $1 for every $3 earned above $60,480 (but only count earnings before the month you reach FRA). After FRA, there's no earnings limit. This is definitely something to factor into the strategy if your wife plans to continue working.

I feel your pain! This is definitely confusing. From what I understand from the responses here, yes survivor benefits are reduced if taken early, but that reduction doesn't affect your own retirement benefit if you switch later. So it really depends on which benefit is higher and your life expectancy. I'm still trying to sort through it all myself.

You're right to be confused - this is complicated! Here's a clearer explanation: If your wife takes survivor benefits early (as early as age 60), they're permanently reduced. If she takes her own retirement benefits early (as early as 62), those are permanently reduced. BUT - the reduction of one benefit type doesn't affect the other benefit type. So yes, she can take reduced survivor benefits early, let her own retirement benefit grow, and then switch to her own benefit later if it would be higher. Or vice versa. The optimal strategy depends on the specific benefit amounts in your situation.

Thanks for breaking it down so clearly! Do these numbers already account for COLA increases or would those be added on top of these estimates?

Great question. The estimates I provided don't include future COLA increases. Both her own benefit and the survivor benefit would receive COLAs over time. So the actual amounts would likely be higher than these estimates due to inflation adjustments between now and when she claims benefits.

Thanks for sharing this. I've been putting off calling SSA because I've heard horror stories about the wait times. I'll check out that service. It would be good to confirm all this information directly with them since this is such an important financial decision.

I wish I'd known about this when I was dealing with my husband's death! Spent literally HOURS on hold only to get disconnected. Getting through to SSA is practically impossible these days.

Glad you're finding it useful too! I've learned a lot from everyone's responses. It's definitely giving me peace of mind to have a better understanding of what options would be available.

You're right about the lump-sum death payment of $255. It's a small amount that hasn't been increased since the 1950s, but it is automatically paid to a surviving spouse who was living with the deceased. If there's no qualifying spouse, it can be paid to a child who's eligible for benefits on the deceased's record. It's a simple application process when reporting the death to Social Security.