bilr 0 Posted January 19, 2019 If I start receiving benefits based on my earnings and my husband dies before my FRA can I delay filing for survivors benefits until my FRA? Also, if I go ahead and apply for spousal benefits at 62, can I still wait until FRA to file for survivor benefits or will I automatically be switched to survivor benefits when my husband passes? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Devin Carroll 1 Posted January 28, 2019 Yes...you can delay filing for survivor benefits if your spouse dies before your FRA. If you file for your own, you do not have to automatically switch to survivor benefits. Important to note, the SSA has a system for searching for the highest payments and you could be automatically switched. If your spouse dies, carefully watch your benefit amount for increases and get it stopped as quickly as possible if you see an increase. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites