Social Security widow benefits question - Will my second widow benefit be reduced if I already took reduced benefits from first spouse?

This is actually a good question with a somewhat complex answer. The reduction for taking widow's benefits early only applies to the specific benefits you took early. Since you'd be applying for widow's benefits on your first husband AFTER reaching your full retirement age, those would NOT be reduced for age. The Social Security Administration treats each entitlement separately. What matters is your age when you apply for each specific benefit. Since you'll be at FRA when your first husband passes, you would be eligible for 100% of his benefit amount (assuming it's higher than what you're currently receiving from husband #2).

Not an expert but when my cousin was in a similar situation the SSA office told her she could only get the HIGHER of the two widow benefits, not both!! Just warning you now so you don't count on getting both payments. She was so upset when she found this out, had been planning her budget thinking she'd get two checks.

I just went through something similar with my mom. The way it worked for her is they looked at both deceased spouses' records and gave her the higher of the two. But you HAVE TO APPLY for the second one! They don't automatically check or switch you over!! Make sure you contact SSA as soon as your first husband passes.

Just to add some clarification on the rules here: When you receive widow's benefits, the reduction factor is specific to each entitlement. Since you took widow's benefits on your second husband at 62, those are permanently reduced. However, if you apply for widow's benefits on your first husband after reaching your Full Retirement Age, there would be no reduction for age on that benefit. SSA will then pay you the higher of the two benefit amounts - not both combined. So if your first husband's benefit amount (at 100% since you'll be at FRA) is higher than what you're currently receiving from your second husband's record (reduced amount), you would receive the higher amount.

Im in teh exact scenario right now!!! Been getting reduced widows from my 2nd husband for 3 years (took at 60) and just applied for widows from my 1st husband who i was married to for 25 yrs!!! They gave me the higher amount with NO REDUCTION since I'm 63 now. You'll be fine!!!

The paperwork wasnt bad but getting through to SSA was IMPOSSIBLE!! I called for 3 weeks straight and kept getting disconnected or told the wait was over 2 hours. Finally my daughter told me about Claimyr.com which got me through to an agent in 15 minutes! They have a video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU Totally worth it cause the agent helped me apply right over the phone and my new higher benefit started the next month!

Wait I thought there was some rule about not being able to change benefits once you start taking them??? My neighbor tried to switch from his own benefit to his deceased wife's and they said once he started his own he was stuck with it. Are widow benefits different from regular SS benefits?????

Just to add my two cents - make SURE you keep copies of ALL your paperwork. The SSA lost my mom's death certificate TWICE when my dad was applying for survivor benefits. And keep a record of who you talk to and when. The system is a nightmare sometimes.

Also remember they'll probably ask for proof of the marriage ending (divorce decree for first marriage) and proof of subsequent marriage (marriage certificate for second husband). My sister got caught in a loop where they kept asking for more documents.

Something nobody has mentioned yet - when your first husband does pass away (which I'm sorry to hear about), make sure you check if there are any children who might be eligible for benefits on his record too. My neighbor didn't realize her adult disabled son qualified for benefits on her deceased husband's record for almost a year after he died. There might be other family members eligible besides just you.