Full question: My husband is 77 and 14 years older than me. He started collecting his Social Security benefits at 62. I am 63.5. Would it be more beneficial to collect my Social Security now so our household has 2 Social Security checks? How would this affect my survivor’s benefits? He earned more than me.

Hi there,

Deciding when to start collecting your Social Security benefits is an important decision that depends on your individual circumstances. If you choose to start receiving benefits at your current age of 63.5, your benefits will be reduced because you are claiming them before your full retirement age (FRA). However, this would indeed increase your household income now with two Social Security checks.

Regarding survivor benefits, if you are receiving your own retirement benefits and your husband passes away, you could be eligible for survivor benefits based on his earnings record. The amount you would receive as a survivor benefit is the higher of your benefit or his, but not both. If his benefit is higher, you would receive an amount that steps up to his benefit level.

It’s important to consider your long-term financial needs and possibly consult with a Registered Social Security Analyst (RSSA) to explore your options thoroughly.

You can find an RSSA near you for expert advice tailored to your specific circumstances.

I hope this information is helpful to you.

Warmly,
Martha

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