Hi Larry, I am 64 and retired. My husband recently died at age 66 and had not filed for social security benefits. My social security benefit will be more than my husband's so I plan to take survivor benefits until I am 70 then file for my own benefit. I understand the survivors benefit is reduced prior to my reaching FRA. If I take survivor benefits early at 64, will I receive less social security payout in total compared to taking survivor benefits at FRA? Thanks for your advice!

Hi,

I'm sorry for your loss.

Assuming that you are correct about your own retirement rate being higher than your widow's rate, it would almost certainly be best for you to file for reduced widow's benefits as soon as possible, then switch to your own record at age 70. However, you may want to consider running the maximization software available on this website to be certain.

You would accumulate more total widow's benefits by the time you are age 70 if you file for reduced benefits as soon as possible, as opposed to waiting until full retirement age (FRA). For example, say Jane is age 64 this month and would be eligible for an unreduced widow's benefit of $1500 if she waits until her FRA of age 66 to apply. If Jane files at age 64 instead, she will receive a reduced rate of $1357, but will receive widow's benefits for 6 years rather than 4 years before switching to her own higher rate at age 70. Thus, Jane would receive total widow's benefits of roughly $97,704 (i.e. $1357 x 72 months) if she files at age 64 as opposed to only $72,000 (i.e. $1500 x 48 months) if she waits until FRA.

Best, Jerry