I turned 66 in November. I applied for benefits to start in March. I’ll receive approximately $3300, monthly. My spouse is 65 and has been receiving benefits ($1100 monthly) since she turned 62, based on her earnings. What’ happens to her benefit going forward and upon my death?

Hi. The surviving member of a couple can be paid up to the higher of their two benefit rates, provided that the surviving spouse is at least full retirement age (FRA) when they start drawing survivor benefits. Thus, assuming that your wife is at least FRA at the time of your death, she would be eligible for your higher benefit rate instead of her own. Technically, she'd receive her own amount plus the difference between your amount and her amount, but her combined rate would still add up to your full amount.

Your wife might also be eligible for a partial spousal benefit while you're still living, but only if your primary insurance amount (PIA) is more than twice as much as her own PIA. A person's PIA is equal to their Social Security retirement benefit rate if they start drawing their benefits at full retirement age (FRA). Your wife may want to check with Social Security to see if she's eligible.

You may also want to strongly consider using our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) to fully analyze the filing options available to you to make sure that you're choosing the best possible strategy for maximizing your benefits.

Best, Jerry