I received a call the other day from a client that said he called the Social Security office to ask this question – his full retirement age for benefits is age 66:
He stated that he wanted to delay taking his Social Security until age 68 to collect the 8% per year increase in benefits. He asked what his wife would receive if he passed away any time after age 68. He was told that his wife would receive the benefit calculated at his age 66, not what he had been receiving because he took the delay.

Her answer is completely wrong. Survivors receive the full benefit of the one that has passed. If you delay your benefit to take advantage of the increase that is what your surviving spouse will receive.

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