My wife and I are both entitled to social security benefits. My wifes retirement benefit is slightly less than her survivor benefit when I die.
Assume that I start drawing social security at full retirement age. Assume my wife starts drawing benefits based on her earnings at 62.
Will my wife get the full survivor benefit in both of the following situations?
1) I die before my wife reaches full retirement age.2) I die after my wife reaches full retirement age.
Thanks.
She gets to use your earnings record, but the actual benefit will be reduced according to her age (roughly 5% for each year under her full retirement age).
She gets the full spousal survivor benefit (roughly your check.)
Always suggest you check with SS on answers as your circumstances could alter the above. For more,
-HW "Skip" Weldon Columbia, SC
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