Ask Larry

Would I Be Eligible For My Husband's SS If He Predeceases Me?

I am a retired USG employments under CSRS. I will no received SS. If my husband predeceases me, am I eligible to receive his SS? Also, if I predecease him, does he still collect his SS and survivor benefits from my pension? Thank you.

Hi. You could apply for spousal benefits while your husband is living, and/or survivor benefits following his death, but your spousal or survivor benefit rate would almost certainly be offset by 2/3rds of the amount of your CSRS pension due to the Government Pension Offset (GPO) (https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10007.pdf). That could reduce your spousal or survivor amount to zero if your CSRS pension amounts to more than 1.5 times the amount of your spousal or survivor benefit rate.

However, if you die before your husband and if he is eligible for a CSRS survivor benefit, that WOULD NOT cause any reduction to his Social Security benefit rate.

Best, Jerry

Posted: 
Apr 19 2023 - 11:45am
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