If a spouse passes away & both drew SS due to the deceased passing from cancer what will the surviving spouse draw? Both had to draw ss before age 65 due to the illness. Thank You

Hi,

If both members of a couple are drawing benefits and one of them dies, the surviving spouse can only be paid up to a maximum of the higher of a) their own Social Security retirement benefit rate, or b) their deceased spouse's Social Security retirement benefit rate, or c) 82.5% of the deceased's primary insurance amount (PIA). However, the surviving spouse could receive less than the higher of b) or c) above if they start drawing their survivor benefits prior to FRA.

Best, Jerry