Social Security for Surviving Spouse - How to Calculate?

[Farmgirl]

Here's the scenario...

Husband (higher wage earner) retires at full retirement age

Wife (lower wage earner) retires at 62 with reduced benefit on her own record

Husband dies

Does wife receive the full benefit of husband OR does she receive a reduced benefit because she started collecting at 62?

Thank you for your answers.  I so appreciate this forum.

[Laura33]

I believe she gets his full benefit as his survivor.

[Tris Prior]

I believe she gets his full benefit as his survivor.

Yes, my parents were in this situation and my mother gets my father's full benefit as his survivor. She does not get her own reduced benefit any more; just my father's benefit.

[Farmgirl]

Thank you for your responses.  I was trying to figure it out from the ssa.gov site and it was confusing.

As low paid small market media folks and me 59 and DH 64, Social Security plays a big part.  I'd like to quit in 2018 at 60 and start collecting SS at 62 just for the additional monthly cash flow.