Will I get spousal benefits at 62 with $1500 SS when husband gets $2000? Survivor benefits question too

You're correct that you wouldn't qualify for spousal benefits. The maximum spousal benefit is 50% of your husband's PIA (Primary Insurance Amount) at his full retirement age. Since your own benefit exceeds half of his, you'll just get your own $1500. For survivor benefits though, you would be eligible to receive his full benefit amount of $2000 if he passes away. Survivors can get up to 100% of the deceased spouse's benefit amount. If that happens, SSA would automatically give you the higher of the two benefits (your $1500 or his $2000). You might want to consider whether waiting until your Full Retirement Age would be better for you though, since your own benefit would increase by about 25-30% if you wait until your FRA. That calculation changes depending on health, finances, etc.

Wait are you sure about that advice?? I thought if her husband took benefits early at 62 then the survivor benefit would be reduced too? My neighbor's husband died last year and she told me her survivor benefit was less because he had filed early. So confused about all this SS stuff.

my wife just went threw something similar last yr. ur right about no spousal benefit for u at all. but when my buddy's wife died she DID get his full benefit in place of hers so that parts true. I think it best 2 take ur benefits now, why wait?? the break even point is like 80+ years old anyway

I was in this EXACT situation last year - tried for WEEKS to get someone at SSA on the phone to answer these same questions. Kept getting disconnected or wait times over 2 hours. Finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to a real person at SSA in under 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU The SSA rep confirmed what others are saying here - you won't get spousal benefits since your own benefit is higher than 50% of his. And yes, if he passes, you'd get his current benefit amount as your survivor benefit (which would replace your smaller benefit). Don't waste weeks trying to get through like I did!

DONT WASTE UR TIME WITH SSA!!! They told me one thing then did another. Call center people dont know what their talking about half the time. My check was $143 less than they promised me and took 6 MONTHS to fix it!!!!!

Just to clarify a few points on your questions: 1. Spousal benefits max out at 50% of your husband's Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) - which is what he would have received at his Full Retirement Age before any reductions. Since your own benefit exceeds that amount, you're correct that you wouldn't receive any spousal "top off." 2. For survivor benefits, you would receive a benefit based on what your husband was receiving, which is his reduced benefit of $2,000 (reduced because he claimed at 62). This would replace your $1,500 benefit. 3. An important consideration: If you're still working at 62, be aware of the earnings test. In 2025, if you earn more than $23,000 (approximate figure), your benefits will be reduced by $1 for every $2 over that limit until you reach your Full Retirement Age. 4. Another factor to consider is that taking benefits at 62 means a permanent reduction of about 30% from what you'd receive at your Full Retirement Age. This reduction will affect your benefit amount for life.

Not sure if anyone said this but don't forget that SS checks are TAXED too!!! Up to 85% of them depending on your other income!! The govt gets u coming and going!!!

I remember when my mom had to make this decision! So stressful figuring out all these rules. Sending good thoughts your way!