The following is a question submitted by a Federal Times readers about retirement and other issues facing the federal workforce. It is answered by Reg Jones, a charter member of the senior executive service and a Federal Times columnist since 1995.
Question: Let’s say I will start collecting social security benefits on my 67 birthday full retirement age. My wife, 5 years younger than I, will start collecting on her 62nd birthday. Because her benefits much lower than mine, she will be eligible collecting my 50%, reduced to 70% because of her age.
My questions is: in case I die later, will my wife will collect my full social security benefits? And if so, will how much she gets be based on her age?
Reg’s Response: If you were to die, your wife would be entitled to the higher of the two Social Security benefits.
- If you already receive benefits as a spouse, your benefit will automatically convert to survivors benefits after we receive the report of death.
You’ll find a handy guide and worksheet for determining the amount your spouse’s entitlements at https://www.ssa.gov/OACT/quickcalc/spouse.html.
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Reg Jones is the resident expert on retirement and the federal government at Federal Times. From 1979 until 1995, he served as an assistant director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management handling recruiting and examining, white and blue collar pay, retirement, insurance and other issues. Opinions expressed are his own.
