A new audit performed by the Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General revealed that 82% of widowers and widows entitled to receive spousal benefits were being underpaid. The inspector general reported: “Based on our random sample of 50 beneficiaries, we estimate 11,123 would have been eligible for a higher monthly benefit amount had they delayed their retirement application for their own benefits until age 70. Of these, we estimate SSA underpaid about $131.8 million to 9,224 beneficiaries who are now age 70 and older.” The issue apparently stems from the agency’s failure to inform widowed spouses that they may claim survivor benefits without taking their own until age 70.
See Tracey Longo, Social Security Underpaying Widowed Spouses, Report Finds, Financial Advisor, February 16, 2018.
Special thanks to Joel C. Dobris (Professor of Law, UC Davis School of Law) for bringing this article to my attention.
