Survivor benefits timing question - husband died at 65, I'm retiring before turning 62

First, I'm very sorry for your loss. You've actually got your options fairly well understood. Since survivor benefits can be taken as early as age 60 (with reduction), you can definitely take them before 62 once you're under the earnings limit. You don't need to wait until 62 unless you want less reduction. Here's what I'd consider: - Option 1: Take reduced survivor benefits when you retire in March 2025, then switch to your own retirement at 70 if it would be higher - Option 2: Take your own reduced retirement at 62, then switch to survivors at your FRA for maximum survivor amount Which is better depends on the benefit amounts. Unfortunately, the only way to get accurate estimates is to speak with SSA directly. They can run the numbers for you.

i went thru this 2 yrs ago. my husband passed away and i was 61. CALL THE SSA NOW to set up an appt to discuss this!!! they will run calcuations for u that you cant get online. they told me exactly what id get at different ages. my advice is take whichever is smaller first (urs or survivors) and save the bigger one for later. this is what i did & it worked out.

So sorry about your husband. 💔 I lost mine last year too. The grief is hard enough without all this paperwork and decisions. Sending virtual hugs.

You're asking exactly the right questions. The answer depends on the specific benefit amounts, but generally the optimal strategy is to take the smaller benefit first and switch to the larger one later. If your own retirement benefit at age 70 would be larger than the survivor benefit, then take survivor benefits when you retire in March 2025 (you don't need to wait until 62 for survivor benefits), then switch to your own at 70. If the survivor benefit at your FRA would be larger than your own at age 70, then take your own reduced benefit at 62 and switch to survivors at your FRA. Unfortunately, you'll need to speak directly with SSA to get accurate benefit estimates for each scenario. Your husband's record is still in the system, but you need to authenticate as yourself to access survivor benefit information.

DONT JUST CALL THE LOCAL OFFICE!!! They gave me WRONG info when my husband died!! Go IN PERSON with an appointment. Bring death certificate and marriage certificate and your ID. The reduction for taking survivor benefits early is about 0.396% for each month before your FRA. So if your FRA is 67 and you take survivors at 61, thats 72 months early which means about 28.5% reduction. ALSO remember the earnings limit for 2025 is probably gonna be around $22,000 so dont earn more than that if you take benefits early!!

My mother was in a similar situation last year. She ended up taking survivor benefits early and is now thinking she made a mistake. Make sure you really understand the long-term impact of each choice. I think it's always best to delay taking the larger benefit as long as possible if you can afford to.

Another important factor to consider is that when you take your own retirement benefit early at 62, it's permanently reduced. But if you take survivor benefits early and then switch to your own later, your own benefit continues to grow until you claim it (up to age 70). Also, while the earnings limit for 2024 is $21,240 for people under FRA, you might want to plan for the 2025 amount which will likely be a bit higher after the COLA adjustment. Remember that for every $2 you earn above the limit, they withhold $1 in benefits.

I recommend writing down all your questions before contacting SSA. They can calculate your survivor benefit amount at different ages (61, 62, FRA) and your own retirement benefit at different ages (62, FRA, 70). Once you have those numbers, you can see which claiming strategy maximizes your lifetime benefits. After my spouse died, I finally got through to SSA after trying for weeks. The rep ran all the numbers for me, and in my case, taking my own reduced benefit at 62 and switching to survivors at my FRA resulted in about $50,000 more in lifetime benefits compared to taking survivors early. Everyone's situation is different though.

I'm so sorry for your loss. Having gone through something similar with my late father's benefits, I wanted to share a few practical tips that might help: 1. **Documentation prep**: Gather your husband's death certificate, your marriage certificate, both of your Social Security cards, and your ID before contacting SSA. Having everything ready will make the process smoother. 2. **Get specific calculations**: When you do reach SSA, ask them to calculate your exact benefit amounts for each scenario - survivor benefits at 61, at FRA, your own retirement at 62, and at 70. They can run these numbers and show you the lifetime benefit comparison. 3. **Consider the "do-over" option**: If you take survivor benefits early and later realize your own benefit at 70 would be much higher, you might be able to withdraw your survivor application within 12 months and pay back what you received (though this has strict rules). 4. **Health considerations**: Don't forget to factor in your health and family longevity when deciding between getting money now vs. waiting for higher payments later. The emotional exhaustion you're feeling is completely normal. Take your time with this decision - you don't have to rush into anything. The numbers will help guide you, but ultimately you need to choose what gives you the most peace of mind during this difficult time.

I'm so sorry for your loss. Losing a spouse is incredibly difficult, and having to navigate these complex benefit decisions while grieving makes it even harder. Based on what others have shared, it sounds like you're on the right track with your thinking. Since you'll be 61 when you retire in March 2025, you can definitely take survivor benefits then (they start at 60, not 62). The key question is whether your own benefit at age 70 would be higher than the survivor benefit at your FRA. One thing that might help reduce some stress: you don't have to make this decision right now. You could retire in March, live off savings/part-time income for a few months, and use that time to get the benefit calculations from SSA without the pressure of needing the money immediately. Also, consider reaching out to your local SSA office to schedule an in-person appointment rather than trying to get through on the phone. As others mentioned, bring all your documents (death certificate, marriage certificate, both Social Security cards, your ID) and write down your questions beforehand. Take care of yourself during this process. These financial decisions are important, but your emotional well-being matters too. The right choice is the one that gives you financial security and peace of mind.