Will filing for reduced Social Security spousal benefits at 64 affect my future survivor benefits?
I'm turning 64 next month and trying to make sense of my Social Security options. I don't have enough work credits (less than 40) to qualify for my own retirement benefit. My husband is 72 and has been receiving his SS benefits since he turned 62. I understand that if I claim spousal benefits now before my FRA, they'll be permanently reduced. But what I really want to know is: if I take the reduced spousal benefit now, will this somehow reduce or affect my survivor benefits later when my husband passes away? I've heard conflicting things about this and want to make the right financial decision. Has anyone been in this situation or know how this works? Thanks in advance for any help!
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Brady Clean
my sister did this. took spousal at 63. when her husband died last yr they gave her survivor benefits that were higher then the reduced spousal. They are 2 different things
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Molly Hansen
•Thanks for sharing about your sister's experience. That's reassuring to hear! So they just automatically switched her to the higher survivor benefit?
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Skylar Neal
Great question, and one that confuses many people. The good news is that taking reduced spousal benefits now will NOT affect your future survivor benefits. These are two completely separate calculations in the Social Security system. When your husband passes away, your survivor benefit will be based on: 1. What your husband was receiving when he died, OR 2. If he died before age 70, what he would have received at FRA (potentially higher since he claimed early) Since your husband claimed at 62, his benefit was reduced. As his widow, you would receive that reduced amount if you claim survivor benefits at your FRA, or a further reduced amount if you claim survivor benefits earlier than your FRA. The decision you make now about spousal benefits doesn't impact this future calculation at all.
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Vincent Bimbach
•This is NOT correct information! Survivor benefits and spousal benefits are COMPLETELY connected!!! If you claim ANY benefit early it PERMANENTLY reduces ALL benefits you might get later!!!! My neighbor got caught in this trap and regrets it EVERY DAY!!!
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Skylar Neal
•I understand your concern, but there is a critical distinction here. While it's true that claiming retirement benefits early can affect other benefits, the specific scenario about spousal and survivor benefits works differently. SSA Publication No. 05-10084 specifically addresses this: taking reduced spousal benefits does NOT reduce survivor benefits. These are calculated separately when the time comes. Your neighbor may have had a different situation involving retirement benefits or other factors.
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Kelsey Chin
I went through exactly this situation last year. Filing for spousal benefits early (before your FRA) will reduce those spousal benefits permanently, but it has no effect whatsoever on future survivor benefits. When your husband passes away, SSA will recalculate your benefit completely. You'll receive a survivor benefit based on his earnings record - typically 100% of what he was receiving if you claim at your FRA or later (reduced if you claim survivors before your FRA). One thing to consider: Since your husband claimed at 62, his benefit is permanently reduced from what it could have been. This means your eventual survivor benefit will be based on this reduced amount. But your decision to take spousal now doesn't affect this future calculation.
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Molly Hansen
•Thank you for sharing your experience. That makes me feel better about claiming now. Did you find it was worth claiming spousal early in your situation, even with the reduction? I'm trying to balance immediate income needs against potential future benefits.
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Kelsey Chin
•For me it was worth it. I needed the income at the time, and the peace of mind knowing I'd still get the full survivor benefit later was important. Just make sure you understand exactly how much you'll get with the reduction - the SSA calculator on their website is helpful, but I found it easiest to actually call and have them explain the exact amounts to me.
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Norah Quay
My aunt just went through this whole mess with social security. She took her spousal at 63 and then when uncle died last year they switched her to survivors. Completely different calculations they told her. The lady at SS office explained that spousal benefits and survivors are calculated different ways. The early filing penalty only applies to what benefit you're applying for at that time.
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Leo McDonald
I had this EXACT situation! I took spousal at 63 (I'm 67 now) and my husband passed last year. When I applied for survivor benefits, I found out they're based on a completely different calculation. The amount I get now as a widow is actually higher than what I would have gotten as a spouse even if I had waited until my FRA to claim spousal! Here's what nobody tells you: when you're applying for survivor benefits, you'll likely spend HOURS on the phone trying to reach someone at SSA. I wasted two full days getting disconnected repeatedly before finding a service called Claimyr that got me through to a live agent in under 10 minutes. You can see how it works at https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU or just go to claimyr.com - this saved me so much frustration during an already difficult time.
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Molly Hansen
•I'm sorry about your husband, but thank you for sharing your experience. That's really helpful to know about both the benefit calculation and the phone service. I've already spent an entire morning trying to get through to SSA on this question without success. I'll check out that service if I need to call again.
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Jessica Nolan
everyones situation is different dont listen to random people online!!! call SSA and ask them specificly about YOUR case. to many variables with SS.
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Molly Hansen
•You're right that I should ultimately confirm with SSA directly. I've been trying to call but haven't gotten through yet. I was hoping to get some general understanding first so I know what questions to ask when I do reach them.
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Brady Clean
one thing no one mentioned what happens if u remarry after ur husband dies????? thats important 2 know to!!! if u get remarried before 60 u lose survivor benefits but after 60 u can keep them!!!!
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Skylar Neal
To summarize the correct information for you: 1. Taking spousal benefits early will NOT affect your survivor benefits 2. Your future survivor benefit will be based on your husband's benefit amount 3. Since he claimed at 62, his benefit (and consequently your future survivor benefit) is permanently reduced 4. You can claim spousal now and later switch to survivor benefits when applicable 5. To maximize your survivor benefits, you would need to wait until your FRA to claim them when the time comes Given that you're turning 64 next month, taking spousal benefits now means approximately a 13.3% reduction from what you'd get at your FRA. Only you can decide if getting payments now is worth this permanent reduction to your spousal benefits.
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Molly Hansen
•Thank you for this clear summary! This helps me understand my options much better. I think I'm leaning toward claiming now since it won't affect my survivor benefits later. I appreciate everyone's help with this!
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