I have a follow-up to an earlier question. My husband recently passed (3/2018). He was 65, and had begun SS around age 62. He was a federal employee so his SS was greatly reduced. I am 62, (63 in September). I haven't filed. From my earlier question, you mentioned that since I am approximately 62 years, 9 months that I likely would already draw the maximum due to widow's limit rule. I wanted the option to file survivor benefits first, then file on my own record later. I recently visited the SS office to get information. The representative told me I wouldn't draw the maximum on his record (survivor benefits) until I am 66. Based upon your earlier information and my own reading, this doesn't sound right to me. Should I visit again or is there a scenario where I fall through the cracks in being able to collect the max just prior to age 63?
Thanks so much...this is very confusing! I just want to get it right!
Hi,
I'm sorry for your loss.
Well, based on your description of events it certainly sounds like you were given incorrect information by the Social Security representative with whom you spoke. You should probably try to speak with a technical expert or a well trained claims representative.
If your husband started drawing reduced retirement benefits at age 62, then your maximum widow's rate would be limited to 82.5% of your husband's full retirement age rate (PIA) (https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0300615320). And if your current age is at least 62 & 1/2, then you could be paid that rate now. Your widow's rate wouldn't get higher if you waited to start drawing in that scenario.
One bit of potential good news is that if your husband's retirement rate was reduced due to the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), that reduction would no longer apply to your survivor rate. As a result, your widow's rate could be significantly higher than the reduced rate that your husband received. Still, though, if he started drawing reduced retirement benefits at age 62 you couldn't get more than 82.5% of his PIA no matter how long you wait to file for widow's benefits.
The only way that the above limitation wouldn't apply to you is if your husband was receiving Social Security disability benefits rather than reduced retirement benefits. In that case your maximum widow's benefit would be 100% of his PIA and you would need to wait until your full retirement age to get the full amount.
If your own retirement benefit rate would be higher than your widow's rate then your likely best strategy would be to start drawing widow's benefits as soon as possible and then switch to your own record at age 70. And, if you were at least age 62 1/2 when your husband died in March 2018, you can probably claim widow's benefits retroactive to that month (https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0200204030). You may first want to use our maximization software to make sure that you choose the best possible strategy, though.
Best, Jerry
