I am 75. I began collecting SS when I was 66.
My wife is 71. She began collecting a spousal benefit against my SS when she was 66.
We have been married for 31 years.
She let her benefit grow until she was 70 (last year) and then began collecting her own.
Her benefit grew beyond mine because of that delay.
My question is; if she dies before I do, can I collect her full benefit amount or must I stay with mine?

Hi,

Yes, if your wife dies before you you'd be eligible for the higher of your benefit rate or your wife's benefit rate. You wouldn't actually stop receiving your own benefits if your wife's rate is higher, though. Instead, Social Security would continue to pay you your own benefits plus a partial survivor benefit equal to the difference in your benefit rate and your wife's rate. The net result is that you'd be paid a combined benefit equal to your wife's higher amount.

Best, Jerry