A survivor benefit can be up to 100 percent 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. Answers to financial planning questions take time and effort to craft, plus the appropriate response may vary depending on the details of the questioner’s circumstances.

Source: thestar June 02, 2024 15:31 UTC