What Would You Have Done Differently?

[Idnar7]

I found the thread by DTBach on SBP very thought provoking. DW retired in 2008 and I in 2010. We both chose the the default 50% survivor benefit on our pensions. Our thinking was to maximize our initial income to allow our IRA's to grow untouched until RMD's. The SBP discussion caused me to revisit that decision. DW's ss benefit is roughly the same size as mine. So whomever survives will get 50% of the deceased's pension and none of the deceased's ss. If I pass first, DW will see almost a 40% reduction in monthly income (assuming both receiving ss). That kind of shocked me. In retrospect I wish I had gone with the 100% survivor option (my pension is double hers). Had I done that, I would not have been as concerned with not touching the IRA's. Now it appears likely she could need that nest egg to cover the loss in income. Anyway wondering if others revisit some of their past decisions such as survivorship, when to take ss, spending, etc. Thanks to all that contributed to that thread.