Larry: I was married for 10+ years and we divorced. Ex-spouse worked 40+ years paying into Social Security. I have not remarried. Ex-spouse began receiving Social Security disability at age 58 and died at age 59. I want to claim ex-spouse survivor benefit when I become 66 next year under restricted application and defer receiving a benefit based on my account until I am 70. I was the higher wage earner but will still work until 70. How will her claiming at 58 for disability impact what I receive on her account from a restricted application? Do I receive what she received at age 58 or will benefit be based on what she would have received at her FRA?

Hi. The fact that your ex-wife collected Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits prior to her death won't have any adverse effect on your potential survivor benefit rate. Your unreduced widower's benefit rate would be at least the amount that your ex-wife would be drawing if she was still living when you claim survivor benefits (i.e. her full primary insurance amount (PIA) including all Social Security cost of living (COLA) increases occurring since her death). But, there is also an alternate calculation method (i.e. WINDEX) that could give you an even higher rate. When you apply for survivor benefits Social Security will compare both calculation methods and pay you based on the higher of the two methods.

Given your description your filing plan sounds good, but if your earnings would allow you to be paid survivor benefits sooner than your full retirement age (FRA) then you would want to claim them then. Since you'll be switching to your own account at age 70, it would be advantageous for you to collect as much as possible in survivor benefits prior to switching to your own account. Our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) could help sort all of this out for you so that you can make sure you're choosing the best strategy for maximizing your benefits.

Best, Jerry