Tiger8693
Full time employment: Posting here.
As I have understood it, SURVIVOR benefit is different, in that if the lower earning spouse starts at 62 (or anytime prior to FRA, but higher earning spouse starts at FRA (or anytime after):
the lower earning spouse would get the FRA benefit of the higher earning spouse (max after the calculation) upon the higher earning spouses death.
In other words, when the lower earning spouse starts her own benefit only impacts SPOUSAL benefit. And spousal benefit only comes in to play if it (50% of higher earning spouse benefit) is higher than the lower earning spouses claimed benefit on their own.
Complicated, but this is how I understand it.
Also, in advance, I know that there is a calculation for what the SURVIVOR benefit is which may or may not equal the FRA benefit of the higher earning spouse. My point is, that the calculation for SURVIVOR is not reduced because the lower earning spouse starts here own benefit before FRA.
the lower earning spouse would get the FRA benefit of the higher earning spouse (max after the calculation) upon the higher earning spouses death.
In other words, when the lower earning spouse starts her own benefit only impacts SPOUSAL benefit. And spousal benefit only comes in to play if it (50% of higher earning spouse benefit) is higher than the lower earning spouses claimed benefit on their own.
Complicated, but this is how I understand it.
Also, in advance, I know that there is a calculation for what the SURVIVOR benefit is which may or may not equal the FRA benefit of the higher earning spouse. My point is, that the calculation for SURVIVOR is not reduced because the lower earning spouse starts here own benefit before FRA.