My husband retired at age 70 so he could receive his full benefit plus credits. He died one year later. As his widow am I eligible for his full benefit when I reach age 66. My retirement age.

Hi,

I'm sorry for your loss.

Hi Larry,

My husband filed for benefits today. He had 2 years of DRC's We were told that If I file for Spouse benefits now at 63 I will not be get his DRC's as a Widow no matter what my age is if he passes before I do. They say that bullet point C below explains this permanent reduction. Is this correct?

Thanks so much!

Amount of Widow(er)'s Insurance Benefit
407.1How is the widow(er)'s benefit rate computed?

Hi,

Hello,
My Husband plans to take his delayed SS benefit soon at age 68. If I take the spousal benefit at age 63 would my future Widow benefit increase to his benefit amount if I were 66 or more at the time of his passing? Or would it be reduced because I took the spousal benefit at 63? I do not qualify for any benefit on my own record.
Thanks for your help!
Joy

Hi Joy,

Hello,

My wife is currently collecting her social security , she started at 62 and is currently 67. I have recently found out I have Stage 4 prostate cancer. I will be retiring form my job and I am 69 years old. I will start my social security in April. My social security will much more than what my wife's is, can she switch to survivor benefits when I pass away and will she did my amount ?

Hi,

I'm sorry to hear about your illness. Best wishes throughout the course of your medical care.

Larry: Here’s a scenario that I haven’t seen covered yet; My wife and I have both worked enough to qualify for Social Security benefits; My monthly benefit will be roughly double hers. She’s eight years younger than me and I expect her to live into her 90s. Unfortunately, I have health issues that will most likely prevent me from living past my early 70s. Given these probable conditions, here are my questions: If I defer SSA benefits until age 70, will my wife receive my elevated (roughly 128%) benefit, or will she only receive my 100% benefit in lieu of hers?

Hi Larry & Jerry-

My wife began taking her benefits when she reached her FRA of 66. I am 18 months older than she is; once she reached her FRA and filed for her benefits I began taking my spousal benefit on her account.

As a result, I delayed taking my own benefit until I was 70 years old. Once I began taking my delayed retirement benefit she began to take her spousal benefit on my account which, when combined with her benefit, took her monthly benefit payment up to 1/2 of my PIA.

I am a widow, age 60, never remarried, what benefits am I entitled to?
can I still work as well?

Hi,

My husband and I were married 9 months and 22 days before he passed away on April 4, 2016.He as 66, born in 1949 . I was 63..He received $2400 dollars in SS a month..I only got about $1000 of his added to mine..Obviously he made more than me..I started getting SS at 62.. Will I get more from his now that I'm 66, my full retirement age? THANKS, GAIL

Hi Gail,

I'm sorry for your loss.

I am 60 years old Can I collect my late husbands SS while I work til 62

Hi,

That depends on how much you're earning. If you file for widow's benefits in 2019, Social Security would likely need to withhold $1 of your benefits for each $2 that you earn in excess of $17640 (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/whileworking.html). That could result in either full or partial withholding of your benefits depending on your benefit rate and how much you earn.