Hello Professor Kotlikoff,

You are recognized as an expert in Social Security, and I intend to order your book on this subject and have a question for you that I am hoping you will answer :

I read that I do indeed meet the requirements and am eligible to apply for receiving Social Security benefits as a surviving divorced spouse when I reach FRA . Sadly, my ex wife passed away prior to age 62, and so she did not begin receiving SS benefits. Is it true that one in my circumstances CANNOT permitted to defer / postpone receiving SS beyond my FRA to age 70 ( for example ), in order to receive a greater ( increasing 8% annually ? ) monthly benefit ?

Thank You kindly for your help.

Erik

Hi Erik. I'm not sure that I understand what you're asking. Survivor benefit rates don't increase if you wait past your full retirement age (FRA) to start collecting them. So, if you're eligible for surviving divorced spousal benefits you wouldn't want to claim them any later than the month you reach FRA.

However, if you're eligible for both survivor benefits and retirement benefits on your own account and if you haven't started collecting either benefit, then you could potentially start collecting the survivor benefit at FRA or sooner while allowing your own retirement benefit rate to keep increasing until age 70.

It sounds like you may want to strongly consider using our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) to fully analyze all of your options so that you can determine your best strategy for maximizing your benefits.

Best, Jerry