Full question: If my spouse who has no earning history, applies (on my earnings) for reduced spousal benefits now and withdraws and if some thing happens to me before her FRA. The benefits be auto converted to survivor benefits, will benefit be ‘Recalculated’ at that time based on survivor benefits at higher level or will…

Full question: I discovered recently that my husband passed away in 2012. We were still married but not together. Am I still entitled to receive survivor benefits and how far back will they pay? Hi there, Yes, you are still entitled to survivor benefits if you are still legally married. The SSA pays up to…

Full question: Can I collect survivor benefits from deceased ex-husband from age 60 until my FRA which is 67, and want to be sure that I can switch over as long as my own retirement benefits are higher. Is this true? Hi there, Yes, that is true. Survivor benefits may be collected as young as…

Full question: I am a surviving spouse receiving Railroad Retirement (RR) annuity. I plan on taking my own Social Security next year. Does the entire tier 1 go away? My total is more than tier 1. Thank you! Hi there, Thank you for your question about railroad survivor annuities and Social Security benefits. The tier…

Full question: I have plans to retire January 2024. I am only 64 and want to claim survivors benefits because my husband died on 2006. Want to switch to my social security when I reach the age. Do I have to wait until I retire to start receiving these benefits or can I start now?…

Full question: I’m 65, in dire financial shape (making work difficult since pandemic). I qualify for a bewildering smorgasborg, all but Survivor/Widow’s… It seems perilous for me to go in without better preparation. I think it would be different if I didn’t actually need this so badly. My ex’s earnings are much higher than mine…