• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Ask Liz Weston

Get smart with your money

  • About
  • Liz’s Books
  • Speaking
  • Disclosure
  • Contact

Q&A: Clearing up the deal with Social Security survivor benefits

May 27, 2024 By Liz Weston

Dear Liz: I read your column regarding the wife who filed for her Social Security benefits at 62 and received $1,500, while her husband filed at 70 and was receiving $4,600. You noted that after the husband died she could receive his entire $4,600 payment, but wouldn’t the amount she receives as a survivor’s benefit be reduced due to her early filing?

Answer: That’s not true. An early start reduces retirement and spousal benefits. Survivor benefits operate by different rules.

A survivor benefit can be up to 100% of what the deceased spouse received or had earned. If the husband had filed for his own benefit earlier, for example, that would reduce the survivor benefit the wife could receive. Survivor benefits also can be reduced if the survivor starts receiving them before reaching his or her own full retirement age for such benefits.

But the wife’s early start on her own benefit doesn’t affect the survivor benefit she could get if he dies first.

Related Posts

  • Q&A: Social Security survivor benefits

    Dear Liz: I am trying to understand the Social Security survivor benefit. I delayed starting to receive my…

  • Q&A: Social Security survivor benefits

    Dear Liz: My husband died 10 years ago. He had a good salary for many years.…

  • Q&A: Social Security survivor benefits

    Dear Liz: I’m 70, collecting Social Security since age 62 and still working. My ex-wife passed…

  • Q&A: Social Security survivor benefits

    Dear Liz: My husband passed away at age 59 last year. He was sick and…

Filed Under: Q&A, Social Security Tagged With: Social Security, Social Security survivor benefits, spousal benefits, survivor benefits

Primary Sidebar

Search

Copyright © 2025 · Ask Liz Weston 2.0 On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in