Hi Larry/Jerry, survivor benefit question for you. Can you please clarify if or how RIB-LIM applies to my situation? I'm sure many of your readers are in the same boat.

My wife and I are both 64 and started drawing social security when we turned 62. I draw a regular retirement benefit and my wife, as a low wage earner, draws a spousal benefit.

When I started drawing my benefit, reduced for starting at age 62, it was $1290. Had I waited until my FRA my PIA would have been $1769. With annual COLAs my reduced benefit of $1290 has increased to $1384.

We'll both reach our survivor FRA next year at 66y 2m.

As I understand RIB-LIM, if the survivor starts benefits earlier than their FRA, RIB LIM caps their benefit at the larger of:

- The amount the deceased would receive if he or she were still alive, or

- If the deceased claimed prior to their FRA, 82.5% of the deceased’s benefit at FRA.

So here are my questions:

1. If we both reach our FRA and I then die, will my wife's survivor benefit be what I was drawing at the time of my death (for arguments sake my current $1384) or 82.5% of my full FRA, which in this case is larger ($1769 x 82.5% = $1459).

2. Is my FRA PIA (that $1769) set in stone or did it too get adjusted for COLA? If not, the issue may become moot as COLAs will eventually increase my initial reduced benefit to reach or exceed the RIB-LIM amount.

Thanks.

Hi. Your wife would get 82.5% of your primary insurance amount (PIA) if that amount is more than your reduced benefit rate. And, since your wife is now age 64, she'd be eligible for the 82.5% of your PIA as a survivor even if you die before she reaches her full retirement age (FRA).

Your PIA will be adjusted for all future Social Security cost of living (COLA) increases, so your wife's survivor rate would amount to 82.5% of your PIA at the time of your death.

Best, Jerry