Widows Benefits Social Security (state, husband, widow, income)

[LookingatFL]

If a widow takes her widow's benefit at age 60, and then switches to her Social Security benefit (on her work record) at age 70:

Question 1: Is she penalized for taking social security early at age 60? Or does she get her full benefit including full delayed retirement credits at age 70 when she switches?

Example:

Her Social Security Benefit at age 70 is $2,000 including delayed retirement credits. Will she receive the $2,000?


Question 2: Reversing that senario: If she takes her Social Security benefit early at age 62, and then applies for her widow's benefit at FRA -- is her widow's benefit reduced because she took her Social Security benefit (on her work record) early?

[NewbieHere]

I did a bit of research into this, after reading Janet Quinn Bryant book, and I found out that I can take widow's benefit at 60 using my husband, my own SS can be delayed until I'm 70.

[Nightengale212]

Originally Posted by LookingatFL

If a widow takes her widow's benefit at age 60, and then switches to her Social Security benefit (on her work record) at age 70:

Question 1: Is she penalized for taking social security early at age 60? Or does she get her full benefit including full delayed retirement credits at age 70 when she switches?

Example:

Her Social Security Benefit at age 70 is $2,000 including delayed retirement credits. Will she receive the $2,000?


Question 2: Reversing that senario: If she takes her Social Security benefit early at age 62, and then applies for her widow's benefit at FRA -- is her widow's benefit reduced because she took her Social Security benefit (on her work record) early?

# 1 - No, a widow would not face any penalty on their own record for taking their survivor's benefit early and taking their own at their FRA or beyond. A widow would be subject to the same income limits on taking their survivor's benefit as anyone else who takes their own SS benefit prior to their FRA.


# 2 - No amount reduction penalty, but understand that a widow's survivor benefit will not grow beyond their widow' FRA benefit amount. Going this route only makes sense if the survivor's benefit at a widow's FRA is greater than their own benefit at age 70.

[LookingatFL]

Thank you.

[mamasplace]

Why not just get the straight scoop from SS itself? Call and make an appointment to get specific answers to your personal situation. They may also be able to supply you with additional info specific to you.

[mathjak107]

There is so much those clerks do not know

[Sicilee]

What Mathjak107 said...plus then others wouldn't benefit from seeing the responses. I'm glad the question was asked here.

[oldsoldier1976]

I have a guide to Social Security given to me by my Ameriprise FA and I can't make heads or tails of the answer to those question. I believe Nightengale is right but I rolled my eyes back reading the guide for that chapter.

[Nightengale212]

Originally Posted by mathjak107

There is so much those clerks do not know

I couldn't agree with you more!! In my numerous attempts to get an estimate of what my survivor's benefit from age 60 to widow's FRA would be to be proactive with my retirement planning I hit one stone wall after another. I eventually called one my State senator's office for assistance with this issue. An hour after that call I received a call from an SS supervisor, and a week or so later I received a detailed survivor's benefit summary. Having this info has been of great value to me with my retirement planning, and I encourage all widows/widowers to get this info.

[mathjak107]

If you remember when we had our appeal i had asked if my assumption about never seeing the delayed credit money after fra if you don't file in only january was correct.

The clerk had no idea what i was asking