Hello. Are SS survivor's benefits calculated at the time (month) you apply for them or when you start collecting benefits? Thanks for your help.

Hi. I'm not sure exactly what you mean. The dates that a person applies for and starts collecting benefits doesn't really affect the basic calculation of their survivor rate. It could, however, cause a surviving spouse or ex-spouse to receive a reduced benefit rate if they start drawing prior to their full retirement age (FRA).

For example, unreduced widow's benefits are typically calculated based on 100% of the deceased worker's primary insurance amount (PIA). The calculation of a person's PIA is based on their earnings, and the dates that a survivor applies for and starts drawing benefits has no bearing on the PIA calculation.

For example, let's say that Bob dies at age 60. If Bob's widow starts drawing widow's benefits effective with the month she reaches FRA or later, she could be paid up to 100% of Bob's PIA. However, if Bob's widow starts drawing widow's benefits effective with the month she reaches age 60, then her benefit rate would be reduced for age to 71.5% of Bob's PIA.

Best, Jerry