I am a young Financial Advisor in need of some clarification on an interesting social security case. I have a couple who are not married yet both age 58 but are considering marriage. The woman, however, is a survivor and therefore should be entitled to her deceased husbands benefits at age 60. It is my understanding that she should file for his survivor benefits at age 60, however do not file for her own, allowing them to roll up. If she and her current boyfriend were to get married. Would she lose her right to her survivor benefit under the new rules?

Larry,
Have read 90% of these answers and your book and still can't find an answer to what I think is a simple question.
My only wife and I are the same age (both will be 65 this year) and her SS payout @ 66 is ~$19,800 , @70 ~ $26,300 and mine is ~$30,900, @70 ~$40,800.

My wife and I are both age 66. She started receiving her benefits at age 62 and I am receiving a spousal benefit on her record (equal to one-half of her FRA) while waiting until age 70 to file for my own benefit. What happens if sometime between now and age 70 (say when we are both age 68), my wife dies? Does my spousal benefit just continue unchanged? Do I have an option at that point to start receiving the benefit she had been receiving (which would be higher than my spousal benefit) or even her full amount since I had never filed for early benefits on my own record?

Your software looks amazing. I'm sharing a link on my Facebook page and will be exploring all that you offer. So glad to have found this site!

My mother's husband began getting spousal benefits at age 65. He gets about $200 a month after his Medicare payment is deducted. My mother collected survivor's benefits from her previous spouse. My mother is dying. Will her husband be eligible for an increase in benefits as a survivor?

Hi,

I'm sorry to hear about your mother.

Someone informed me that upon the death of a spouse, SS has an actual lump sum life insurance benefit paid to widowers. The only information I have found in regards to this, is a lump sum death benefit of $250. Is there another lump sum death benefit that is available? I'm aware of the survival benefits but this individual was speaking about a one time payment and much larger lump sum then $250, are they mistaken? Thank you for your response...

Hi,

Can a widower at FRA collect on his wife's survivor benefit and also get his full benefit?

Thank you!

Hi,

No, if a person is entitled to both widower's benefits and benefits on his own record, he can only receive the higher of the 2 benefits.

Best, Jerry

Hi Jerry. You were kind enough to answer a previous question from me relating to spousal benefits which helped a lot. Thank you. I've moved over to the survivor benefit portion of the "death kit" I keep for my wife and my head is spinning. I'm trying, thus far in vain, to map a plan and give her an idea of what to expect should something happen to me. I've tried to find the right answer but have returned hat in hand.

We're both 60. She's in good health; I am not. My FRA PIA is $1610. Her FRA PIA is $504.

I understand totally the grandfathered spousal benefit, but what happens if there's a death on either side? Can the restricted spousal benefit person then file for widow/survivor's benefit if spouse dies before he gets to 70 and let his SS still grow till 70 and then get his full retirement benefit?

My wife died in 2011. Am I eligible to receive any additional benefits. I am 64 years old. She would have been 65. I am receiving 1,076. A month in my own benefits. Can I receive the money she paid into Social Security. As a lump sum?

Hi,

I'm sorry for your loss.