Ask Larry

If My Spouse Takes Spousal Benefits Early, Would That Cause Her Survivor Rate To Also Be Reduced Even If I Die After She Reaches Her Full Retirement Age?

If my spouse starts taking the spousal benefit early, prior to her full retirement age of 66 and 10 months, then if I pass away and she converts to survivor benefit after her full retirement age, is her survivor benefit reduced from having taken the spousal benefit early? If my spouse starts taking the spousal benefit early, prior to her full retirement age of 66 and 10 months, then if I pass away and she converts to survivor benefit after her full retirement age, is her survivor benefit reduced from having taken the spousal benefit early?

Hi. No. Spousal benefit rates are calculated separately from survivor benefit rates. Any reduction for age applied to a person's spousal benefit rate does not carry over to their survivor rate. If a person is full retirement age (FRA) or older when they start drawing survivor benefits, their survivor rate isn't reduced for age even if they started drawing spousal benefits at a reduced rate. However, if a person starts drawing survivor benefits prior to their FRA, then their survivor rate is subject to a reduction for age based on their age at the time they start collecting survivor benefits.

Before deciding when to claim benefits, your spouse should strongly consider using our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) to fully compare and analyze all of her options so that she can determine her best strategy for maximizing benefits.

Best, Jerry

Posted: 
Apr 24 2023 - 8:40am
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