I'm trying to determine if the benefit amount given to me during an SSA phone appointment is correct. I'm 60 years old and my ex-husband (married 23 yrs) died in 2021 at age 59. The SSA rep disclosed ex-husband's PIA (full retirement benefit at age 67) =$3245. I was told if I waited until age 67 my survivor benefit would be $2677 (82.5%). It seems this is because my Ex-husband was receiving SSDI (SSA rep wouldn't disclose). My question is: If I take benefit now (age 60yr 11m) using chart of 'Reduced Benefits for Survivor born 1962 or Later' it shows 79.3%. Is this percentage multiplied of Ex's PIA ($3245 x .793 =$2573), or do I use the 82.5% of PIA ($2677 x .793 = $2123)??? SSA rep calculated the 2nd way but I am hoping they are supposed to use 100% PIA in calculation of reduced benefit until ager 62 yr 8m when chart shows equals 82.5%. I'm really looking for this answer so I can decide to proceed with application. THANKS. I've run scenario couple times on your software but still not sure I'm plugging in numbers correctly.

Hi. It sounds like you were misinformed by the Social Security representative with whom you spoke, which seems to be getting more and more common. If your ex-spouse died prior to age 62, then no reduction for age would be applied to your survivor rate if you wait until your full retirement age (FRA) to start drawing survivor benefits. The only way that your survivor rate could be limited to 82.5% of your ex's primary insurance amount (PIA) is if he collected reduced Social Security retirement benefits prior to his death, which would be impossible if he died before age 62.

When a deceased worker dies prior to FRA and without having collected reduced retirement benefits, unreduced surviving spousal benefits payable from that worker's account are calculated at 100% of the deceased worker's PIA. That's true regardless of whether or not the deceased worker collected Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits prior to their death. So, if you wait until your FRA to start drawing survivor benefits, it sounds like you should then receive 100% of whatever your ex's PIA is at that time. His PIA will increase as a result of any future Social Security cost of living (COLA) increases.

I don't know what reduction factor chart you're looking at, but the correct percentage of your ex's PIA that you would receive if you claim survivor benefits effective with age 60 & 11 months is 75.2% (https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/survivors/1962s.html). Your best strategy for claiming benefits depends on numerous different factors, so before applying you should strongly consider using our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) to fully compare and analyze all of your options so that you can determine your best strategy for maximizing your benefits.

Best, Jerry