Retirement Social Security

This Social Security Benefit Lets Some Widows Switch Checks - and Get More Money

Eligible widows can boost retirement income with this simple trick.

By Lee Huffman

Edited by Laura Hohenstein

Updated Jan. 15, 2026

When a spouse dies, many widows assume that Social Security will automatically pay them the highest benefit available. That assumption is understandable, but it isn't always true. In reality, eligible surviving spouses often have a choice about which Social Security benefit to receive, and the option that pays the most right away isn't always the one that leads to the highest lifetime income.

In some cases, a surviving spouse can switch benefits later — for example, starting with one benefit and moving to another as it grows. Used correctly, this flexibility can make a meaningful difference in monthly income over time and help maximize your senior benefits.

Here's what you need to know about surviving spouse benefits and how strategic switching can work to your advantage.

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What Social Security benefits are widows eligible for?

Surviving spouses may be eligible for two separate Social Security benefits. While you cannot receive both at the same time, you can choose which benefit to receive:

Survivor benefits: Based on a deceased spouse's earnings record
Retirement benefits: Based on their own work history

These benefits are calculated independently. While Social Security pays the higher of the two benefits, you can let one grow while receiving the other. If the unused benefit eventually exceeds the chosen benefit, you may be able to switch between them.

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How age rules create an opportunity to switch benefits

Eligibility ages differ between survivor and retirement benefits. By paying attention to these ages and how they affect your Social Security widow benefits, there is an opportunity to switch checks and receive a bigger raise than you'd normally receive from the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA).

Survivor benefits: Widows can begin receiving Social Security benefits based on their spouse's work history as early as age 60. If you are disabled, you can start receiving them at age 50.
Retirement benefits: You can claim Social Security benefits based on your work history starting at age 62. However, when you claim Social Security before full retirement age, your benefits are permanently reduced by up to 30%.

Because these timelines for claiming benefits are different, you may be able to use one benefit for income today, while the other continues to grow.

For every year you wait beyond full retirement age (up to age 70), your monthly benefit increases by 8%. By contrast, survivor benefits do not grow beyond full retirement age outside of yearly COLAs.

Why switching may be allowed for eligible surviving spouses

Social Security will pay the highest benefit based on the age at which you start claiming benefits. While that may provide a higher income today, you may be better off taking the smaller benefit today and letting the other one grow.

Using this "loophole" in retirement benefits, you can choose one of two paths: Claim survivor benefits first, then later switch to your own retirement benefit, or claim your own retirement benefit first, then switch to survivor benefits later.

This flexibility exists because survivor benefits follow different rules from spousal benefits when both spouses are still alive.

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How to maximize Social Security benefits for surviving spouses

Here are two hypothetical examples of how you would use these rules to maximize your Social Security income as a surviving spouse.

Survivor benefits first, retirement later

In the first example, you're a widow with an income history similar to your deceased spouse's. You qualify for a survivor benefit of $1,800 per month at age 60 or your own retirement benefit of $2,300 per month at age 70.

By claiming the survivor benefit at 60, you'll receive $1,800 per month starting immediately. This allows your retirement benefit, based on your work history, to continue growing. When you turn 70, you can switch to your own higher retirement benefit to increase your income.

Not only does this boost your income immediately, but you'll also receive a larger COLA each year. Over time, this strategy will increase your total lifetime income.

Retirement first, survivor benefit later

Another widow whose deceased spouse earned a higher Social Security benefit based on a higher lifetime work history has the following choices: A small retirement benefit of $1,200 per month at 62 or a survivor benefit of $2,000 per month at her survivor's full retirement age.

She claims her retirement benefit early, then switches to the full survivor benefit later. This can be helpful if immediate income is needed, but a larger survivor benefit is available later.

These examples are simplified and not universal. Individual results depend on age, earnings history, and health.

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Bottom line

Social Security decisions can feel overwhelming, especially after the loss of a spouse. While the system defaults to the highest income, that may not be the best choice in the long term. Before claiming any benefit, take time to carefully review your options to make the right moves for your long-term finances.

By comparing Social Security benefits and eligibility, you may boost your overall retirement income by taking advantage of these Social Security widow benefits.

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