Hi,
My Husband went in to apply for his SS benefits today at age 68 and 4 months. They insist that even if I'm age 66 or beyond when my husband passes away I will NOT be entitled as a surviving widow to receive any of his delayed credits. They say my widow benefit will be his PIA at his FRA of 66. We left their office and go back on Monday after we think this through. They are also pressing us to take a lump sum based on his benefit for the previous 6 month period. Of course this will reduce his monthly payments. We are now so confused. Please tell me, where I can get the real truth about all of this? I am currently 63 and 3 months. My husband is no longer able to work due to his health. Please HELP! Thanks so much, Joy

Hi Joy,

You apparently can't get the real truth from the Social Security employee that you spoke with, since what that person told you is simply wrong. If your husband dies before you, your widow's rate WILL include credit for any delayed retirement credits (DRC) that your husband earns by waiting past full retirement age (FRA) to start drawing his retirement benefits. This fact is clearly stated in section 407.1 of Social Security's handbook: https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/handbook/handbook.04/handbook-0407.html.

Therefore, if your husband waits until age 70 to start drawing his retirement benefits and subsequently dies before you, you would be eligible to receive his full age 70 rate as his widow provided that you're at least FRA when you claim widow's benefits. If your husband starts drawing his retirement benefits at age 68 instead of age 70, his monthly benefit rate will be 16% lower than his age 70 rate, and that lower rate would carry over to your potential future widow's benefits. And, if your husband opts to claim retroactive retirement benefits for months prior to age 68, that would lower the monthly rate even further.

Of course, if your husband needs to claim his Social Security benefits now in order to make ends meet, perhaps waiting until age 70 to file may not be a realistic option for him. The fact remains, though, that the sooner he claims his benefits prior to age 70, the lower both his monthly benefit rate and your future potential widow's rate will be. If you haven't already done so, you and your husband should strongly consider using our software to analyze your options in order to determine your best strategy for claiming your benefits.

Best, Jerry