I am 60 and receiving social security disability of $2200. My wife makes $10,000 a year. She is 60, if she claims early her benefit will be about $600 dollars. If she claims reduced spousal benefits it will be approximately $750. My question is when I die , assuming after age 66 will she receive my benefits of $2200, or will they be reduced because she claimed early benefits. Is there a better stategy. Thank you.

Hi,

If you die after your wife has reached full retirement age, she would receive your full benefit rate regardless of whether or not she took reduced retirement and/or spousal benefits. She wouldn't get both her own benefit rate and yours as a widow, however, just the higher of the two.

Before your wife's files for benefits, you may want to consider running the maximization software available on this website. That way you can explore all of her options and decide which is best based on your set of circumstances.

Best, Jerry