Social Security survivor benefits options when spouse dies before claiming SS at 64

I'm so sorry for your loss. Your mom does have several options with survivor benefits. Here's what she should know: 1. She can claim survivor benefits as early as age 60, but they'll be reduced (about 71.5% of your dad's full benefit). 2. If she waits until her Full Retirement Age (probably 67), she'd get 100% of what your dad would have received at his FRA or what he was receiving, whichever is higher. 3. Since your dad hadn't claimed yet, her benefit would be based on what he would have received at his FRA, including any delayed retirement credits he earned by not filing early. 4. She has the option to take her own reduced retirement at 62 and then switch to full survivor benefits at her FRA, or vice versa - take reduced survivor benefits now and switch to her own (if higher) at 70. The best strategy depends on the difference between her benefit and your dad's potential benefit. She should contact SSA as soon as possible to discuss these options.

When my husband died two years ago, I had HELL dealing with Social Security!!! They kept telling me different things every time I called! First they said I could get survivors at 60, then they said I had to wait cause he hadn't claimed yet, then they said I COULD claim but it would be reduced!!!!! It took me 6 WEEKS of calling to get a straight answer!!!! The whole system is BROKEN and they don't care about widows at all!!!!!

Your mother has what's called the "widow's strategy" available to her, which is one of the few remaining flexible claiming strategies after the 2015 rule changes. Here's what she needs to consider: 1. Her survivor benefit is based on your father's Primary Insurance Amount (PIA), or what he would have received at his Full Retirement Age. Since he hadn't filed yet, she'll get the full PIA when she reaches her FRA. 2. If she claims survivors before her FRA, the reduction is approximately 0.396% per month early. 3. The optimal strategy often involves claiming the smaller benefit first (either her own or survivor) and switching to the higher benefit later. 4. If her own benefit might grow to be larger than the survivor benefit, she should consider taking the reduced survivor benefit now and switching to her own at 70. 5. If the survivor benefit will always be larger, she might want to take her own reduced retirement at 62 and switch to survivors at her FRA. This is complicated and very specific to her individual situation. She should schedule an appointment with SSA and bring all of your father's information.

sorry about ur dad. my mom got survivors when my dad died. she was 63 she said SSA told her to take it right away cuz waiting didnt help much. i think she got around $1700 a month which was better than her own benefit would have been.

When I tried helping my sister with survivor benefits last year, we spent THREE DAYS trying to get through to Social Security on the phone. Kept disconnecting us after waiting for hours! We finally used a service called Claimyr that got us through to a rep in under 20 minutes. It was such a relief after all that frustration. They have a video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU - their website is claimyr.com. Made the process so much easier during an already difficult time.

A crucial point that hasn't been mentioned yet: your mother needs to report your father's death to Social Security as soon as possible. The funeral home may have done this already (they often do), but she should verify. She cannot apply for survivor benefits online - it must be done by phone or in person. Regarding maximizing benefits, the ideal strategy depends on the specific benefit amounts. If your father's benefit would be significantly higher than your mother's own benefit, here's a potential strategy: 1. Take reduced survivor benefits now (at age 61) 2. Continue working to build her own earnings record 3. At age 70, evaluate whether to switch to her own retirement benefit if it's grown larger than the survivor benefit The key advantage to waiting would be if her own benefit could grow to exceed the survivor benefit. Each year she delays her own retirement benefit past her FRA increases it by 8% (until age 70). She should request a detailed benefits calculation from SSA showing both options before making any decisions.

My neighbor went thru this last year and she said don't forget the $255 death benefit! I know it's not much but every little bit helps right now I'm sure.

To answer your follow-up question: Yes, if your mom takes reduced survivor benefits now at 61, she can absolutely switch to her own retirement benefit later if it would be higher. This is called the "restricted application" strategy for survivors. Since she's still working part-time, she should be aware of the earnings limit. In 2025, if she earns more than $22,300 while collecting survivor benefits before her FRA, SSA will withhold $1 in benefits for every $2 she earns above that limit. The good news is that any benefits withheld aren't lost forever - they'll be returned to her in the form of a benefit recalculation after she reaches FRA. Also, don't forget that she needs to apply for benefits within 3 months of your father's passing to potentially get back payments to the month of his death.