I began taking my social security benefit at NRA. I'm 66 and my wife is 61. After reviewing what she would get under the spousal benefit I think that it would be to our benefit for her to take the reduced spousal benefit when she turns 62 in December of 2018. My question has to do with the benefit she would receive should something happen to me. When I retired I began taking my benefit in September of 2017 at NRA which was the maximum benefit allowed. Based on the SS calculators she would receive a little over $900 per month because she would be taking it early. If I died would she receive my full benefit or a lesser amount because she took the spousal benefit earlier than her NRA?

Hi,

By NRA, I assume you're referring to full retirement age (FRA). Filing for reduced spousal benefits doesn't necessarily result in a reduced survivor benefit rate. If your wife starts drawing spousal benefits at age 62 and you die, her benefit rate would depend on her age at the time of your death. If she's at least FRA when you die then she would receive your full benefit rate, but if she's under FRA then her survivor benefit rate would be reduced for age based on her age at the time of your death.

You and your wife may want to strongly consider using our maximization software to explore and compare all of your options in order to determine your best strategy.

Best, Jerry