Will taking SS benefits at 64 reduce future survivor benefits from husband's higher earnings?

Good news - your decision to take your own benefits early does NOT affect your eventual survivor benefits. If your husband passes away, you would be entitled to 100% of what he was receiving (or would have received if he hadn't claimed yet). The reduction for claiming early only applies to your own retirement benefit or spousal benefits, not to survivor benefits. If your husband maximizes by waiting until 70, and then passes away, you'd receive his full age-70 benefit amount as a survivor benefit (assuming you're at or above your FRA when you switch to survivor benefits). This is one of the advantages of having the higher-earning spouse delay benefits until 70 - it maximizes the survivor protection.

im in same boat turned 63 last month took mine early at 62 husband is waiting til 70 to get the max amount. we decided better to have some money now rather then wait for the bigger check. you can always invest some of it if u dont need it all right away

When you take your own retirement benefits early, you'll receive a permanently reduced amount on YOUR record. However, survivor benefits work differently. If your husband passes away, you would receive his full benefit amount (what he was receiving at death) IF you're at your FRA when you take survivor benefits. If you're under your FRA when you receive survivor benefits, there is a reduction. At age 64, you'd receive about 81.9% of your husband's full benefit as a survivor. Every month you wait between ages 60-FRA increases this percentage. A common strategy is exactly what you're considering: the lower earner takes their reduced benefits early, while the higher earner delays until 70 to maximize the survivor benefit protection. Your own reduced benefit doesn't impact future survivor benefits - they're completely separate calculations. One thing to consider: When your husband files at 70, you could potentially switch to a spousal benefit if that would be higher than your reduced retirement benefit. The spousal benefit would be reduced because you filed early, but might still be higher than what you're getting on your own record.

I had the WORST experience trying to figure this out for myself last year!!! Called SS like 20 times and kept getting different answers. Some reps said my early filing would reduce survivor benefits, others said it wouldn't. FINALLY got someone who knew what they were talking about who confirmed what others here are saying - early filing of your OWN benefits doesn't reduce future survivor benefits! But GOOD LUCK getting through to anyone at SSA these days to confirm this for your specific situation!!!!

My wife and I were in almost this exact situation! I'm 5 years older and the higher earner. She took her benefits at 63 while I waited until 70. It's worked out great for us - we had some SS income coming in during those years, but also maximized what she'll get if I go first. Just make sure you have enough other savings or income to bridge the gap until your husband files.

Here's the technical explanation: When you file for benefits before FRA, you receive a reduced retirement benefit on your own record. This reduction is permanent and applies to your retirement benefit for life. However, survivor benefits are calculated completely separately. If your husband passes away, you'd be eligible for survivor benefits equal to 100% of what he was receiving if: 1. You're at or past your FRA when you claim survivor benefits 2. You're not entitled to a retirement benefit that exceeds his benefit If you're under FRA when claiming survivor benefits, they'd be reduced (approximately 4.75% per year early). But your earlier decision to claim your own retirement benefits doesn't factor into this calculation. This is why it's often advantageous for the higher earner to delay until 70 - it creates a larger survivor benefit for the remaining spouse. Your plan (you claiming early while husband delays) can actually be a smart approach if you need income now but want to maximize long-term benefits.

To address the question about whether your benefit would increase when your husband files at 70: You might receive a spousal add-on if your reduced retirement benefit is less than your reduced spousal amount. Your maximum spousal benefit would be 50% of your husband's PIA (his benefit at full retirement age, before his delayed retirement credits). Since you're filing at 64, about 3 years early, your spousal benefit would be reduced by approximately 17-18%. The SSA will automatically calculate whether you're entitled to a combination of benefits that gives you the highest amount. So when your husband files, if you're eligible for additional spousal benefits, they'll be added automatically. But remember - the spousal benefit doesn't include his delayed retirement credits. Those only count for survivor benefits.

ANYONE else notice how IMPOSSIBLE it is to get correct information from SSA these days?!?! I swear every rep tells you something different! My neighbor filed last year and got told THREE different things about how her pension would affect her SS benefit! The whole system is a mess!!

to answer that other persons question YES u can wait to take survivor benefits even if already getting ur own. my sister was getting her own SS when her husband died last year and the SS person told her she could wait til her FRA to switch to survivors to get the full amount. shes 63 now and waiting til 67 to switch