Switching Survivor to Retirement Benefits at 70? (w/Examples) + FAQs

Yes, a surviving spouse can, and often should, switch from Social Security survivor benefits to their own retirement benefit at age 70. This strategy allows a person to collect one check now while letting their other, potentially larger, check grow to its maximum possible amount. This single decision can add tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars to your lifetime income.

The primary conflict comes from a federal rule known as “deemed filing,” which was established by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015. ¹ This rule forces most people who apply for one type of Social Security benefit to simultaneously apply for all other benefits they are eligible for. The immediate negative consequence is that it eliminates strategic choices for most retirees, forcing them to take the higher of their available benefits at that moment, preventing them from letting one benefit grow while collecting another. ¹

However, the law contains a specific and powerful exception: deemed filing does not apply to survivor benefits. ¹ This exception creates a unique opportunity for widows and widowers that is often missed. Social Security is a key source of financial security for millions of Americans, with about 7.8 million people aged 60 and older receiving benefits based on a deceased spouse’s record. ²

Here is what you will learn to solve this complex problem:

✅ How to identify the two separate benefits you might be owed and why their rules are critically different.
💰 The legal exception that makes the switching strategy possible and how to use it to your advantage.
🤔 Three real-world scenarios to help you see which path is the right one for your specific situation.
📈 The secret to a guaranteed, government-backed 8% annual return on your own retirement benefit.
❌ How to avoid the most common and costly mistakes that could shrink your checks for life.

Two Checks, One Choice: Understanding Your Survivor Benefit vs. Your Own Retirement Benefit

To make the best choice, you must first understand that you are dealing with two completely separate pots of money. Your survivor benefit and your own retirement benefit have different rules, different claiming ages, and different ways to be maximized. Mixing them up is a common and expensive mistake.

Your survivor benefit is based entirely on your deceased spouse’s lifetime earnings. ³ You can start collecting this benefit as early as age 60, or age 50 if you have a qualifying disability. ⁴ To get 100% of your spouse’s benefit, you must wait until your own Full Retirement Age (FRA) for survivors. ⁵ Waiting past your survivor FRA gives you no extra money; the benefit stops growing at that point. ⁶

Your own retirement benefit is based entirely on your own 35 highest-earning years. ⁷ You can start this benefit as early as age 62, but your payment will be permanently reduced. ⁸ Waiting past your retirement FRA allows your benefit to grow until it reaches its absolute maximum at age 70. ⁹

This difference is the key. Survivor benefits max out at your FRA, while your own retirement benefits can keep growing until age 70.

| Feature | Survivor Benefit | Your Retirement Benefit |

| Based On | Your deceased spouse’s work record 3 | Your own work record 8 |

| Earliest Age to Claim | Age 60 (or 50 if disabled) 4 | Age 62 8 |

| Age for 100% Benefit | Your Full Retirement Age for survivors 5 | Your Full Retirement Age for retirement 8 |

| Age for Maximum Benefit | Your Full Retirement Age for survivors 6 | Age 70 10 |

The Law That Creates the Opportunity: How “Deemed Filing” Works For (and Against) You

A specific rule in federal law creates the unique opportunity for surviving spouses. This rule is called “deemed filing.” For most people, this rule limits their options, but for a widow or widower, it unlocks a powerful strategy.

The deemed filing rule states that when you apply for your retirement benefit, you are automatically “deemed” to be applying for any spousal benefit you are also owed. ¹ The Social Security Administration (SSA) will then pay you the higher of the two amounts. ¹ The consequence is that you cannot choose to take a smaller spousal benefit while letting your own larger retirement benefit grow.

However, the law makes a critical exception: deemed filing does not apply to survivor benefits. ¹ This means a surviving spouse who is eligible for both a survivor benefit and their own retirement benefit is not forced to take both at the same time. You can file what is called a “restricted application.”

A restricted application allows you to tell the SSA you want to collect only your survivor benefit now. ¹¹ This provides you with income while your own retirement benefit remains untouched. It can then continue to grow until you are ready to claim it, ideally at age 70 when it is worth the most. ¹¹

The Power of Patience: How Delayed Retirement Credits Create an 8% Guaranteed Return

The reason for waiting until age 70 to claim your own retirement benefit is simple: free money. The SSA rewards your patience with something called Delayed Retirement Credits (DRCs). These credits increase your monthly payment for every single month you wait past your Full Retirement Age. ¹⁰

For anyone born in 1943 or later, your benefit increases by two-thirds of 1% for each month you delay. ¹⁰ This adds up to a guaranteed 8% increase for every year you wait between your FRA and age 70. ¹⁰ This is a risk-free return backed by the U.S. government that you cannot find in the stock market. ¹²

Let’s look at a simple example. Meet Sarah. Her Full Retirement Age is 67, and her retirement benefit at that age (her Primary Insurance Amount, or PIA) is $2,000 per month. ¹³ If she waits three years until age 70, her benefit grows by 24% (8% x 3 years).

Her new monthly benefit at age 70 would be $2,480 ($2,000 x 1.24). ¹³ That is an extra $480 every month for the rest of her life. By using her survivor benefit as a bridge, she can “buy” this guaranteed increase for her own retirement benefit.

Three Survivors, Three Paths: Which Story Matches Yours?

Every situation is different. The right strategy depends on a simple comparison: will your own retirement benefit at age 70 be higher than your maximum survivor benefit? Answering that question will place you into one of three main scenarios.

Scenario 1: The Switcher (Your Retirement Benefit at 70 is Higher)

This is the ideal situation for the switching strategy. It applies to people who had a solid work history and whose own retirement benefit, once maximized at age 70, will be larger than the survivor benefit from their spouse.

Strategic Move	Financial Outcome
File a restricted application for survivor benefits between age 60 and your FRA.	You receive a steady income stream to live on for several years.
Let your own retirement benefit grow untouched.	Your own benefit increases by a guaranteed 8% per year from your FRA to age 70.
At age 70, file a new application to switch to your own retirement benefit.	You lock in a higher monthly payment for the rest of your life.

Scenario 2: The Survivor Maximizer (Your Survivor Benefit is Higher)

This often happens if your deceased spouse was a much higher earner. In this case, their survivor benefit will be greater than your own retirement benefit, even if you delay your own to age 70. The switching strategy does not make sense here.

Strategic Move	Financial Outcome
Focus only on the survivor benefit.	You ignore your own smaller retirement benefit entirely.
Wait until your Full Retirement Age for survivors to claim the benefit.	You receive 100% of the survivor benefit, the maximum amount possible.
Collect the survivor benefit for the rest of your life.	You secure the highest possible monthly payment available to you.

Scenario 3: The Early-Claiming Trap (The “Widow(er)’s Limit”)

This is a critical and often-missed rule that can change everything. If your deceased spouse started collecting their own retirement benefits before their Full Retirement Age, a special rule called the “Widow(er)’s Limit” may apply. ¹⁴ It is also known as the RIB-LIM. ¹⁴

This rule says your survivor benefit is capped. It generally cannot be higher than the reduced amount your spouse was actually receiving when they passed away. ¹⁴ This decision by your late spouse creates a permanent ceiling on your survivor benefit, and you cannot get 100% of their full benefit, even if you wait until your own FRA.

Strategic Move	Financial Outcome
Contact the SSA and ask specifically if the “Widow(er)’s Limit” applies.	You get an accurate, and potentially much lower, estimate of your maximum survivor benefit.
Re-compare the capped survivor benefit to your own retirement benefit at age 70.	The comparison may now show that your own benefit is higher, making the switching strategy the best choice.
Choose your strategy based on the new, accurate numbers.	You avoid making a decision based on incorrect information and secure your best financial outcome.

Costly Missteps: 5 Common Mistakes That Can Shrink Your Checks for Life

Navigating these rules can be tricky. A simple misunderstanding can lead to a permanent reduction in your lifetime income. Here are five of the most common and costly mistakes to avoid.

Confusing Your Two Full Retirement Ages. You have an FRA for your own retirement benefit and a separate FRA for your survivor benefit. ⁵ They can be different depending on your birth year. Using the wrong one in your calculations can lead to claiming at the wrong time.
Thinking Survivor Benefits Grow After FRA. They do not. Your own retirement benefit grows by 8% per year between your FRA and age 70, but your survivor benefit hits its maximum value at your survivor FRA and grows no further. ⁶ Delaying a survivor claim past your FRA just means you miss out on payments for no reason.
Ignoring the “Widow(er)’s Limit.” If your spouse claimed their retirement early, your survivor benefit is likely capped at a lower amount. ¹⁴ Failing to confirm this with the SSA can cause you to dramatically overestimate your survivor benefit and choose the wrong strategy.
Remarrying Too Early. The rules on remarriage are strict. If you remarry before age 60 (or 50 if you are disabled), you generally lose your eligibility for survivor benefits from your deceased spouse. ¹⁵ Remarrying after age 60 does not impact your eligibility. ¹⁵
Assuming the Switch at 70 is Automatic. The SSA will not automatically switch you from your survivor benefit to your own retirement benefit when you turn 70. You must file a new and separate application to start your retirement benefits. ¹⁷ Forgetting this step means you will continue receiving the lower survivor benefit.

Who’s Who in Your Social Security World

You do not have to navigate this process alone. Several key entities are involved in helping you make the right decision and get your benefits.

The Social Security Administration (SSA): This is the federal agency that manages the program. You must contact them to apply for benefits, ask questions about your specific case, and report any life changes. ³ You can call them or visit a local office, but you cannot apply for survivor benefits online. ¹⁹
Your my Social Security Account: This is a vital online tool. You should create an account on the SSA’s website to see your full earnings record and get personalized estimates of your own retirement benefit at different ages. ⁷
A Financial Advisor: The rules are complex, and the stakes are high. A qualified financial advisor who specializes in Social Security can help you run the numbers for your specific situation and provide confidence that you are making the best possible choice. ²⁰

Your Strategic Playbook: Do’s and Don’ts for Maximizing Your Benefits

Do’s	Don’ts
Do create a `my Social Security` account online to get your retirement benefit estimates.	Don’t assume the estimates on your statement are what you will actually get; they are just a starting point.
Do call the SSA to get an official survivor benefit estimate.	Don’t forget to ask specifically if the “Widow(er)’s Limit” applies to you.
Do compare your maximized age-70 retirement benefit to your maximum survivor benefit.	Don’t mix up the rules for the two different benefits; they are separate.
Do file a “restricted application” if you decide to take survivor benefits first.	Don’t assume the SSA will automatically switch you at age 70; you must file a new application.
Do consider talking to a financial advisor to confirm your strategy.	Don’t remarry before age 60 without understanding you will likely lose your survivor benefits.

The Switching Strategy: Weighing the Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Maximizes Lifetime Income: For many, this strategy results in the highest possible total income over their lifetime.	Requires Patience: You must wait until age 70 to receive your largest personal benefit.
Provides a Financial Bridge: The survivor benefit offers a steady income stream while you wait for your own benefit to grow.	It’s Not for Everyone: If the survivor benefit is permanently higher, this strategy does not make sense.
Guaranteed Growth: Your own benefit grows by a risk-free 8% per year between your FRA and age 70.	Complexity: The rules can be confusing, and making a mistake can be costly.
Longevity Protection: A larger monthly check provides better financial security if you live a very long life.	You Must Be Proactive: The switch at age 70 is not automatic and requires you to file a new application.
Flexibility: It gives you a powerful choice that is not available to most other Social Security recipients.	Early Death Risk: If you pass away shortly after age 70, you will have received less in total benefits than if you had claimed earlier.

From Paperwork to Payment: A Step-by-Step Guide to Claiming and Switching

The process involves two key steps: applying for survivor benefits now and then applying to switch to your own retirement benefits later.

Step 1: Applying for Survivor Benefits

You cannot complete the application for survivor benefits online. ³ You must either call the SSA’s national number (1-800-772-1213) or schedule an in-person appointment at a local office. ³ When you apply, make it clear you are filing a restricted application for survivor benefits only.

You will need to provide original documents or certified copies. Be prepared with the following: ²²

Proof of your spouse’s death (a death certificate).
Your birth certificate.
Your marriage certificate.
Your Social Security number and your deceased spouse’s Social Security number.
Your bank’s direct deposit information.

Step 2: Switching to Your Own Retirement Benefit at Age 70

The switch is not automatic. ¹⁷ You must file a new application to start your own retirement benefits. You should begin this process about four months before your 70th birthday to ensure your payments start on time. ¹⁷

Unlike the survivor benefit application, you can apply for your own retirement benefits online through your my Social Security account. ¹⁸ This is the most convenient way to complete the process. You can also apply by phone or at a local office if you prefer.

The Law of the Land: Key Rules That Shape Your Decision

Your ability to use this strategy is based on specific provisions in federal law. Understanding them helps clarify why these opportunities and limitations exist.

The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015: This law strengthened the “deemed filing” rule, which prevents most people from claiming one benefit while delaying another. ¹ However, Congress specifically wrote an exception into this law for survivor benefits, which is what makes the switching strategy possible for widows and widowers. ¹
The 1972 Social Security Amendments: This older law made significant changes to how survivor benefits are calculated. It allowed a widow(er) to receive up to 100% of the deceased worker’s benefit. ¹⁴ However, it also created the “Widow(er)’s Limit” provision, which caps the survivor benefit if the deceased worker had claimed their own retirement benefits early. ¹⁴

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do I have to tell the SSA I want to switch, or is it automatic?

No. The switch is not automatic. You must file a new, separate application for your own retirement benefits when you want them to begin, ideally around age 70. 17

If I take a reduced survivor benefit early, does it reduce my own future retirement benefit?

No. The two benefits are calculated independently. Taking a survivor benefit early will not impact the amount of your own retirement benefit, which will still grow with delayed retirement credits until age 70. 24

Can I apply for survivor benefits online?

No. The application for survivor benefits cannot be completed online. You must apply by calling the SSA’s national toll-free number or by scheduling an in-person appointment at a local Social Security office. 19

What happens if my deceased spouse earned delayed retirement credits?

Yes. If your spouse waited past their FRA to claim, any delayed retirement credits they earned are passed on to you. This will increase the value of your survivor benefit. 25

Can I use this strategy if I am a surviving divorced spouse?

Yes. If your marriage lasted at least 10 years and you have not remarried before age 60, you are generally entitled to the same survivor benefits and strategic options as a widow or widower. 26