My spouse was awarded SSDI after he was deceased. He had already retired, but then applied for SSDI. About 1 year later I became disabled and now receive SSDI based off of my record. I applied for disabled widow benefit, yet do not receive an amount that would equal the higher of the two (mine is 1661 and he made 2570. I receive 600 from his). Why would this be?
Also, will benefits be forever reduced?

Also, I am not planning to be on SSDI forever (who does)? If and when I am able to return, will I be penalized later in life for having taken widow benefits while on SSDI?
Finally, can I drop widow benefits if and when going back to work?

thank you for all your help!

Hi. I'm sorry for your loss. Unlike Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits, disabled widow's benefits (DWB) are reduced for age. The amount of the reduction is 28.5%, so DWB benefits are normally paid at 71.5% 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), or their unreduced SSDI benefit amount.

If your SSDI entitlement began concurrently or before your DWB entitlement, the 28.5% reduction would only be applied to the difference between your own PIA and your husband's PIA. The resulting amount would then be paid in addition to your own unreduced SSDI benefit. However, if your DWB entitlement date preceded your SSDI entitlement date, then the 28.5% percent reduction would be applied to your husband's full PIA, and your combined SSDI/DWB benefit amount would be equal to the resulting reduced rate.

The 28.5% reduction could be removed when you reach FRA, but only if your DWB entitlement date didn't precede your SSDI entitlement date. Otherwise, the 28.5% reduction applied to DWB benefits is permanent.

You couldn't voluntarily stop drawing SSDI or DWB benefits unless you withdraw your original claim for those benefits and repay all of the benefits you've received. However, your benefits could be suspended or terminated if you return to work prior to FRA and if you earn too much to be due benefits (https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10095.pdf). If your SSDI benefits terminate due to your work and earnings, it wouldn't adversely affect your future Social Security retirement benefit rate. However, depending on your age at the time your DWB benefits stop, there could be a residual permanent reduction in your eventual widow's rate. That permanent reduction could only apply, though, if your DWB entitlement date preceded your SSDI entitlement date.

Best, Jerry