Ask Larry

Will My Wife Get My Full Benefit Rate If I Die First?

Hello,
My wife and I receive social security. I receive 60% of my PIA because of WEP. My wife's benefit amount is based on my work record - so she gets about 30% of my PIA. AM I correct that if I pass first, the WEP goes away and she will get about 100% of my PIA? Thanks!

Hi,

Yes, assuming that you started drawing benefits at full retirement age. However, if you started drawing benefits before full retirement age, the percentage reduction that you took for starting benefits early will continue on to your wife's survivor benefit. In any case, though, the WEP reduction would not carry over to your wife's survivor benefits.

For more information on WEP (Windfall Elimination Provision), refer to the following pamphlet: https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10045.pdf.

Best, Jerry

Posted: 
Nov 26 2016 - 9:30am
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