[where's_the_Outrage?]

My wife is significantly younger than me and from my research it looks like if I pass she'll get zip from SS until over a decade later when she turns 60.

On the plus side that means I'm worth more to her alive than dead.

[Bobbyvotes]

You get nothing more if your benefits are already higher than hers.

[Dr. Sivana]

The upshot is that married couples generally receive two revenue streams from Social Security. In some cases, that means two retired-worker benefits. In other cases, it means one retired-worker benefit and one spousal benefit. Regardless, when one spouse dies, one of those revenue streams disappears. But the surviving spouse can generally then receive the higher of the two payouts as the survivors benefit.

My wife is considerably younger than I am. Only marriage for both of us. We still have a minor child at home. My wife has always been a 100% home-maker. My understanding is that if I die, she gets a survivor benefit that is equivalent to SS until she is older.

In any event, I expect to put off drawing SS until 70, to maximize her benefit as she should long out live me, and my benefit is her benefit.

[Chainmail]

You too? My wife is also a lot younger than me and as I am starting that slide towards eternity, I worry about what will happen with her.

Younger wives give up an awful lot by loving us older farts.

[Hyman Roth]

Social Security is the biggest Ponzi scheme on the face of the earth

[Sacajaweau]

Can they ten will it to someone else??

[Fido969]

When she hits 60, though, watch out!

[sauropod]

There is that.

[budj]

It's simple.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

On the plus side that means I'm worth more to her alive than dead.

That is a major plus. :)

OTOH you should, especially if you have children, get a term life policy to cover that time.

At least enough to pay the house off.

[Glad2bnuts]

My GF, not married yet, is disabled and 61. I am afraid to marry her, because I am unsure what happens after I pass first. I think if she passes first and we are married, I am responsible for her debts. I am debt free, and make more as I am 70 years old and fully eligible. Anyone know what is the most advantageous for us both?