This question is in respects to my father. Since 2006 he has been receiving disability along with widower/survivor benefit. My mother passed years before he received his benefits. He will be turning 66 at the beginning of next year so he will be of retirement age. His benefit is around 600 and on my mothers record an extra 375. We are concerned that when he turns 66 he will only receive 600 and not my mothers benefit. Would Social Security exclude widowers and only give him his benefit? Also would it be possible for him to request my mothers benefit full amount (since i believe it is more then his) and hold off on his benefit until he reaches 70 years? This way he can get the yearly benefit of increase.
I am a daughter just looking for answers to help my father. Thanks for any information.

Hi,

Your father turning his full retirement age (FRA) of 66 won't have any adverse effect on either his own benefit rate or his widower's rate. His disability benefits will convert to regular retirement benefits at the same rate at FRA, and his widower's rate could even increase somewhat if he was entitled to disability benefits prior to or at the same time that he became entitled to widower's benefits. The widower's benefits won't stop or be reduced, though.

Your father wouldn't have the option of stopping his own benefits until age 70 and drawing a full widower's benefit instead. In fact, if he suspended his own benefits at FRA it would also result in suspension of his widower's benefits (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/suspendfaq.html).

Best, Jerry