Hi - I am stumped by this explanation on SSA's website https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/survivors/survivorchartred.html; I had a question widow, who wanted to claim widow's benefit at 62, her FRA 67. According to the chart, if for 67 FRA reduction on $1,000 is to $796 if claimed at 62. Yet, SSA list monthly reduction .339, if I multiply this by 60 months difference I am getting a very different result than $796. Kindly, what am I doing wrong? What's the best way to calculate it? Is there a rule of thumb besides the range 71.5% - 99%? Or what's in the footnote 4. Thank you much

Hi. Calculations involving widow(er) benefits are complex at best, especially if the deceased worker collected Social Security retirement benefits prior to their death. There is a calculation worksheet provided in Social Security's operations manual (https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0300615322), but it's probably indecipherable to average person.

In short, if deceased worker on whose account the widow(er) in your example did not collect reduced Social Security retirement benefits prior to their death, then the reduction percentages shown in the chart you cite would be accurate. But, if the deceased worker did receive reduced Social Security retirement benefits prior to their death, then the maximum survivor benefit rate that their widow(er) could be paid is the higher of a) the worker's reduced retirement benefit rate inclusive of cost of living increases that occurred after their death, or b) 82.5% of the deceased worker's primary insurance amount (PIA). A person's PIA is equal to their Social Security retirement benefit rate if they start drawing their benefits at full retirement age (FRA).

In the example you cite, the widow would receive $796 if they claim benefits effective with the month they reach age 62, regardless of whether or not the deceased worker collected reduced retirement benefits prior to their death. But, if that widow claims survivor benefits at FRA or later then their monthly rate could be from as low as 82.5% of the deceased worker's PIA to as much as 100% or more of the deceased worker's PIA depending on when or if the deceased worker started collecting Social Security retirement benefits.

Fortunately, our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) is fully programmed to handle widow(er) benefit computations. Anyone contemplating applying for benefits should strongly consider using our software to fully compare and analyze all of their various options in order to determine their best strategy for maximizing benefits.

Best, Jerry