Hi Larry/Jerry, survivor benefit question for you. Can you please clarify if or how RIB-LIM applies to my situation? I'm sure many of your readers are in the same boat.

My wife and I are both 64 and started drawing social security when we turned 62. I draw a regular retirement benefit and my wife, as a low wage earner, draws a spousal benefit.

When I started drawing my benefit, reduced for starting at age 62, it was $1290. Had I waited until my FRA my PIA would have been $1769. With annual COLAs my reduced benefit of $1290 has increased to $1384.

I'm 64 and already taking SS benefits ($2000/month), and have terminal cancer. My wife and I have lived together for 8 years, but only married 1 month ago. We postponed our wedding in early 2020 due to Covid. Is this grounds for appealing the 9-month rule for survivor benefits?

Can I start getting my deceased husband social security at age 62? (May 1960). I still work full time

Hi. You already meet the minimum age requirement for widow's benefits, which is age 60, but whether or not you could actually be paid any benefits depends on your widow's rate and the amount of your earnings. If you claim benefits this year (i.e. 2022), Social Security would need to withhold $1 of your benefits for every $2 that you earn in excess of $19,560.

I am a widow receiving my survivor Social Security benefit since the age of 60. I am currently 67 and planning to remarry. What effect will this have on my current benefit?

Hi. Your new marriage won't have any effect on your benefits. Remarriages that occur after a person reaches age 60 do not prevent them from qualifying for benefits on a previous deceased spouse's account (https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/handbook/handbook.04/handbook-0406.html).

Best, Jerry

My father wanted to ask a question about widow benefits but he is physically disabled. My father who is 82 receives $1550 in social security a month. My mother is 69 and never accumulated enough social security credits, but receives $435 social security a month. I’m assuming this is spousal benefits?? If my father were to die would my mother receive the $1550 a month as a survivor benefit? The $435 a month would be replace with the $1550?

I’ll begin collecting social security this year at age 70. My wife will also begin collecting on her record this year, at age 62. I’m interested in survivor benefits. Since I waited until 70 to file, what amount will my wife be eligible to receive when I pass?

Hi. If you start drawing your benefits at age 70 and if your wife is at least full retirement age (FRA) when she claims widow's benefits, she'll get the higher of her own benefit rate or your full age 70 rate.

Best, Jerry

Hello Sir , if I passed shortly after taking ss benefits at 62 im 60 now ! And my wife took survivor benefits at 62.8months at the rib lib does she receive 82.5 % of my fra or does that amount get reduced also by her taking it earlier than her normal fra of 67 She is leaving her own benefits alone until 70

Hi Larry,

I am a subscriber to the Maximize My Social Security application and need your expert help as it relates to my youngest sister's Maximize My Social Security scenario. I am helping her as she is overwhelmed and has asked her siblings to her navigate the SS labyrinth.

Sister's Scenario.

My husband recently passed away. I filed for benefits we didn't currently live together.

Hi. I'm sorry for your loss. Being separated from your spouse at the time of their death wouldn't prevent you from qualifying for widow(er) benefits provided that you meet the other requirements. The full requirements for widow(er) benefits are outlined in the following section of Social Security's handbook: https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/handbook/handbook.04/handbook-0401.html.

Hello Larry. I am 69 and my wife is 57. I have held off applying for social security in order to fully maximize my monthly benefit payment. I will turn 70 in August of this year and will apply. My wife plans to apply for her SS benefit in 5 years when she will be 62. My question is, if/when I die before her, when will she qualify to take my benefit amount in "full" and give up her own? What if I die before she even reaches 62?