Social Security Benefits and Reductions for Surviving Spouse by Age

The earliest a widow or widower can start receiving Social Security survivors benefits based on age will remain at age 60.

Year of Birth^1.	Full Retirement Age	Age 60 Reduction Months	Monthly % Reduction^2.
1939 or earlier	65	60	.475
1940	65 and 2 months	62	.460
1941	65 and 4 months	64	.445
1942	65 and 6 months	66	.432
1943	65 and 8 months	68	.419
1944	65 and 10 months	70	.407
1945--1956	66	72	.396
1957	66 and 2 months	74	.385
1958	66 and 4 months	76	.375
1959	66 and 6 months	78	.365
1960	66 and 8 months	80	.356
1961	66 and 10 months	82	.348
1962 and later	67	84	.339
If you were born on January 1st of any year you should refer to the previous year. Monthly reduction percentages are approximate due to rounding. The total % reduction for anyone who receives benefits at age 60 is always 28.50.

If you receive benefits early

You can receive widows/widowers benefits based on your age at any time between age 60 and full retirement age. However, if you start at one of these early ages, your benefits are reduced a fraction of a percent for each month before your full retirement age. If you start widows/widowers benefits before age 62 and switch to retirement benefits when you reach your full retirement age* your retirement benefit may also be affected.

As a general rule, early widows/widowers benefits based on your age will give you about the same total Social Security survivors benefits over your lifetime, but in smaller amounts to take into account the longer period you will receive them.

Note: If your birthday is on the 1st of the month, we figure the benefit as if your birthday was the previous month.

Pros and Cons

There are disadvantages and advantages to taking your benefit before your full retirement age. The advantage is that you collect benefits for a longer period of time. The disadvantage is that your benefit may be permanently reduced. Each person's situation is different, so make sure you contact Social Security before you decide to retire.

*Full retirement age may be different for retirement benefits.


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