Ask Larry

Survivor Benefits

What Should I Expect In Terms Of Payment When I Reach Retirement Age?

Dear Larry,

My spouse of 9 years collects Social Security benefits on his deceased partner's income. There is a 35 year age difference between us. My spouse has a terminal illness but is doing good so far. However, I don't know what to expect when he passes. I am in my 40s. What should I expect in terms of payment when I reach retirement age? His deceased partner got the top benefit. I do not as I am as work for a government agency. Is there anything I should do now?

Thank you,

Paul

Posted: 
Thursday, March 23, 2023 - 17:10

If My Wife Takes Spousal Benefits Early Will The Reduction For Age Carry Over To Her Survivor Benefit?

hi Larry and Team, You folks are Awesome! Thank you.

My question: If my wife takes her spousal benefit prior to her FRA (67), does that same age carry over as the age (for benefit reduction purposes) when she takes survivor's benefit?

To that point, say my wife takes spousal benefits at 62 (and she has no SS of her own) then I die when she is 66, Is her survivor benefit based on age 62 or 66? Similarly, if I die when she is older than her FRA will her survivor's benefits be subject to any reduction due to having taken spousal benefits "early"?

Posted: 
Wednesday, March 8, 2023 - 09:29

Can You Give Me Some Answers About Survivor Benefits?

Hello, my husband passed while waiting on the heart transplant list. He had SSDI so I should be able to receive survivors benefits for my Autistic son who also receives SSI. But is it beneficial if he applies for his own SSDI as well? As my husband is the one who handled this information I am in over my head and hoping I can find some answers. Thank you for your time.

Posted: 
Tuesday, January 3, 2023 - 08:18

Does My Brother's Second Wife Have Rights To His Survivor Benefits?

My brother worked a full career as a food salesman, manager of food salesmen, and a few other management positions for large food distribution companies in the US. After raising two boys, he and his wife of 28 years divorced. He was lucky enough to fall in love again and enjoy ten more years with another woman before he passed away from esophageal cancer at just under 65 years of age. My question: He made a pretty good income during his entire career. Somewhere between 80K and 160K per year?

Posted: 
Saturday, November 26, 2022 - 13:06

Should My Husband Or I Pass Away, Is The Surviving Spouse Eligible For Death Benefits?

My husband and I have only been married for a little over a year. I am 65 and he is 70 and are both collecting retirement Social Security benefits. Should one of us pass away, is the other spouse eligible for spousal death benefits? Is there a limit on how long you need to be married. We have been together 17 years now but only legally married for 1 year.

Posted: 
Saturday, November 19, 2022 - 15:44

Will The COLAs Since My Wife's Death Be Added When Calculating My Survivor Rate?

On the subject of COLAs - my spouse of 10 years died in 2015. She was collecting Social Security Disability payments of approximately $940 per month. I will be 60 in a few years. Would the COLAs since 2015 be applied to her $940 before calculating my my survivor's benefit? I know if I claim survivor's benefits before my Full Retirement Age of 67, it will be reduced, and I will be subject to offsets if I am still working. My own benefit will be much higher.

Posted: 
Tuesday, September 27, 2022 - 17:16
MaxiFi software running on a laptop
Get What's Yours!
Discover tens of thousands in extra retirement dollars with Maximize My Social Security software!
  • Find your maximized strategy
  • Unlimited what-ifs
  • Step-by-Step filing instructions
  • Our software's lifetime-benefit increase for an illustrative couple earning $65K each and planning to take retirement benefits at 62.

    Results will differ based on your specific case and filing strategy.

Getting Started is Easy
Web-based software. Works on ALL browsers. No download.