Ask Larry

Can My Wife Get Survivor Benefits And Draw Her Own Social Security?

can my wife get survivor benefits (social security) and draw her own social security monthly payout

Hi,

Your wife couldn't be paid her own Social Security benefits and a full survivor benefit at the same time. The most she could receive is the higher of those 2 benefit rates. If the survivor rate is higher, she would be paid her own benefit rate plus a partial survivor rate equal to the difference in the 2 rates. In other words, the 2 benefits would simply add up to the higher survivor rate.

Best, Jerry

Posted: 
Jun 11 2018 - 9:33am
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