Larry, I am 64 and receiving disability benefits of $1475.00 less $105.00 = $1370.00 monthly, and my wife is 62 now and turning 63 this year. How long before (what age) she can go to the well herself in claiming survivor benefits, i.e. half of what I'm receiving? And in the event of my death would she be bumped up to what I receive?
I'm retired military and do not have survivor's benefits for her other than medical and other privileges - nothing financial coming in other social security. Please advise @ your earliest. Thanks, Leo - Marine veteran...

Hi Leo,

Thanks to you and all of our veterans for your service!

Your wife would need to wait until age 66 to be eligible for an unreduced spousal benefit, which would likely be equal to half of your full disability rate. If she started drawing reduced spousal benefits now between ages 62 & 63, her spousal rate would be reduced by between 25%-30%.

But, if you wife is eligible for benefits on her own record, she'll be deemed to apply for them whenever she applies for spousal benefits. And, if her own benefit rate is higher than the spousal rate, she wouldn't be eligible for any spousal benefits.

Regardless of when and if your wife starts drawing spousal benefits, in the event of your death she would be eligible to receive up to your full benefit rate as a widow. However, her widow's rate would be reduced for age if she starts drawing them before her full retirement age of 66. And, she could only receive the higher of her own retirement benefit rate or her widow's rate, not both.

Best, Jerry