Mismatch between AARP Articles on Survivor Benefits and what SSA is telling us

[davidrodgers7310]

Dear Colleagues: When trying to determine the value of survivor benefits. SSA is telling us the survivor benefit amount is based on the deceased persons "basic" benefit calculated at full retirement age. AARP articles are saying the benefit amount is what the deceased person's benefit calculated at the date of death, including any delayed benefit increases.

See AARP article May 1, 2024 by Tamara Holmes.

https://www.aarp.org/retirement/social-security/info-2024/benefits-couple-strategies.html

This article clearly says that "But “if they wait until 70 and earn those delayed retirement credits, that will increase the survivor’s benefit."

Another article confirms the AARP analysis. https://articles.opensocialsecurity.com/survivor-benefit-calculation/

It notes that if the deceased spouse dies before FRA, the survivor benefit is the primary insurance amount (PIA).

Can anyone help us solve this? Will the survivor benefit be the PIA or the delayed benefit amount?

Thanks!

[Tonster521]

@davidrodgers7310 I will try to answer your question and not confuse you. Survivor Benefits can be just the PIA, the PIA plus any COLA increases, the PIA plus Delayed Retirement Credits plus any COLA increases. It can be less than the PIA if the SS Beneficiary began Early Benefits (before Full Retirement Age) or the Survivor elected SS Benefits before attaining FRA. There are some exceptions, but you will need to address those with the SSA. So, the amount of Survivor Benefits depends on various factors such as PIA, Delayed Retirement Credits, Age, Reduction Percentage for Early Benefits, etc.

It would be helpful if you "linked in" the SSA article that you referenced in your first sentence. That sentence, if directly from a SSA article or website, maybe addressing a specific situation and not a general rule.

Another benefit to consider is Spousal Benefits. Some folks who elect to delay their SS Benefits are not aware that Delayed Retirement Benefits are not included in the amount of Spousal Benefits. So, if one delays their SS Benefits; and, if their spouse is not eligible for a SS Benefit based on her/his own Earnings record, you are delaying both Old Age (Retirement) Benefits and Spousal Benefits. There are a number of items and factors to consider other than a monthly amount.