Surprising Social Security survivor benefit rules
Worker’s claiming age affects survivor’s benefit amount
The monthly survivor benefit amount is based on the deceased’s benefit amount. If the deceased was receiving increased benefits because of delayed retirement, survivor benefits include the increase. If the deceased was receiving reduced benefits, the survivor benefits is reduced. However, if a surviving spouse waits until full retirement age to claim, the benefit would be worth the higher of the deceased’s reduced benefit or 82.5% of the worker’s full benefit.