Survivor benefits confusion - Will my wife's SS benefit be reduced even though I'm claiming at 62?

Your wife would get your CURRENT benefit amount at the time of your death (so the $3,400), NOT your original benefit amount. However, since she claimed her own benefit early, there will be a reduction to her survivor benefit. The reduction is based on her age when she becomes eligible for survivor benefits, not when she initially claimed her retirement benefit. It's complicated though - the reduction isn't always straightforward.

This is a common misconception. Here's the correct information: If your wife is at or past her FRA when she claims survivor benefits, she would receive 100% of your benefit amount at the time of your death (including all COLAs) - so the $3,400 in your example. The fact that she took her OWN retirement benefit early does NOT affect her survivor benefit amount if she's claiming survivor benefits at or after her FRA. The two benefits are calculated separately. The only reduction would be if she claims survivor benefits before her FRA.

You're thinking of the RIB-LIM rule (Retirement Insurance Benefit Limitation), but it doesn't apply the way you think. The RIB-LIM only applies if someone is claiming survivor benefits BEFORE their FRA. If a widow/widower waits until their FRA to claim survivor benefits, they get the full amount regardless of when they claimed their own retirement benefit. In this scenario, since the wife would be in her 70s (past FRA) when claiming survivor benefits, she'd get the full $3,400 - not reduced because of her early retirement claim.

Yes, she'll get your full benefit including all COLAs if she's past FRA when you pass away. I just went through this with my mom. One thing to consider though - the month of death is tricky. If you die early in the month, SSA might not pay for that month. Also, there's a one-time death benefit of $255 (ridiculous amount that hasn't changed in forever).

i claimed at 62 and my husband at 63 too... what happens with medicare premiums after one person dies? do they take the higher premium out of the survivor benefit? our combined income pushes us into IRMAA brackets but individually we wouldn't be. this stuff is SO complicated!

Your wife's survivor benefit would be based on your benefit amount at the time of your death ($3,400), not your original amount. And since she'd be past her FRA when collecting survivor benefits in your scenario, she'd get the full 100%. There's a lot of confusion about this online, but I've dealt with SSA on this exact situation. By the way, have you tried calling SSA directly for confirmation? If you can't get through (which is super common), check out Claimyr.com - it helped me reach an agent in under 20 minutes after trying for days on my own. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU

My mom took SS at 62 and dad at 65. When he died at 82 she got his full benefit which had grown with COLAs. No reduction even tho she took her own benefit early. SSA got it right the first time for us but still a stressful process during a hard time.

Something nobody mentioned - if your wife's own benefit PLUS the spousal top-up is higher than your benefit amount when you die, she might not get the survivor benefit at all since they don't stack. SSA will give her whichever is higher. Just something to consider in your planning.

Did you know if you die in the first 15 days of the month, your spouse doesn't get your benefit for that month AT ALL? But if you die on the 16th or later, they get to keep your payment for that month. makes NO sense!!! the whole system needs to be simplified!! too many ridiculous rules!!