Ask Larry

If My Wife Starts Her Benefits Two Years Early And I Die, Will She Get Full Survivor Benefits?

II CLAIM AT 70 AND MY WIFE CLAIMS 2 YEARS EARLY. IF I DIE WILL SHE GET FULL SURVIVOUR BENIFITS

Hi. If your wife is at least full retirement age (FRA) when she claims survivor benefits, she'd be eligible for the higher of a) your full benefit rate including your delayed retirement credits, or b) her own benefit rate. That would be true even if she starts drawing her own benefits and/or spousal benefits prior to her FRA.

It sounds like you and your wife may want to strongly consider using our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) to fully analyze the options available to you in order to determine your best strategy for maximizing your benefits.

Best, Jerry

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Posted: 
Mar 13 2021 - 11:47am
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