My wife is turning 64 later this month and I will be 66 in June. We have been advised for her to file now and for me to file restricted and then collect my larger benefit at age 70. It is my understanding that if I pass after age 70, my wife would receive that larger amount as the survivor benefit. However, the SSA office told me that is not the case, she would only be entitled to my FRA age 66 benefit. Is that correct? If so, should my strategy be different?

Hi,

Your understanding is correct and what you were told at the SSA office is not. If you live to at least until age 70 and wait until then to start drawing your own retirement benefits your widow would receive that increased rate (i.e. 32% higher than your full retirement age rate) provided that she is at least full retirement age when she becomes entitled to the widow's benefits. She couldn't receive the full widow's rate plus her own rate, though, just the higher of the two.

Unless you've already done so, you and your wife may want to consider using our maximization software to make sure that you're choosing the best possible strategy.

Best, Jerry