My mom is 63 and gets SS income from early retirement and disability. She gets more SS money than my dad does. With their two incomes combined, they're able to afford a decent apartment and what they need. My dad is slowly dying and could be gone anywhere between 1 and 5 years from now. I'm trying to proactive with what happens next.
I know about survivor benefits but I don't think my mom will get any because her SS is higher right? I can't support her financially. Is there anyway I can keep part of my dad's income for her when he passes?
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When we retired, my husband was getting 1500 in SS, I was getting 750 based on my work experience. My 750 was already 50% of my husbands. If he had made more, lets say 2000 I would have been brought up to 1000. Now when he dies, since he made more than me, I will get his 1500 and mine will drop off. I was told there is a formula, but that is pretty much how it is.
Another poster on the forum looked at it another way. That I keep my 750 which is 50% of my husbands and will receive 50% of his. Which still comes out 1500.
Best thing, call ur SS office or try online.
Social Security has a lot of useful information on their website, and you are right that she can only keep the higher of her worker or widow benefit.
https://www.aarp.org/retirement/social-security/questions-answers/survivor-and-retirement-benefits.html
There is a podcast that I listen to that often does deep dives into obscure Social Security rules. If you'd like to try giving them a chance to look at your question, you could do it at http://www.theretirementandirashow.com/ Be sure to give them information on your parents ages when they claimed and whether your Mom is on SS or SSDI. It can take a number of months before they answer a question, though.
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