I started collecting SS at 62 because we had high school aged children which basically doubled my benefit. I am now 72 and my monthly benefit is about $2000. My wife, who worked until we had children, will be 62 in January and is eligible for a monthly benefit of about $850, which would increase to about $1,100 if she waits until she is 66.5. Our intention is for her to start taking her $850 a month in January when she turns 62. Our question is: Can we be certain that this will not preclude her from getting my $2000 a month in survival spousal benefits upon my death, once she turns 66.5, in lieu of her $850?

Hi,

Yes, regardless of when your wife starts drawing her own benefits, she could switch to receiving your full benefit rate if you die before her and she's full retirement age or older when she starts drawing widow's benefits. She would only receive the higher of the 2 rates, though, not both.

In fact, if you've received your benefits continuously starting at age 62 then your wife would likely be due somewhat more than your benefit rate as a widow. When a deceased worker received reduced retirement benefits prior to his or her death, full widow's benefits are paid at the higher of a) the worker's reduced rate or b) 82.5% of the worker's primary insurance amount. And, if you've received your benefits continuously since age 62, your reduced rate would be less than 82.5% of your PIA.

Your wife may want to strongly consider using our maximization software in order to compare her various filing options and determine which strategy would likely be optimal for her.

Best, Jerry