When a Spouse Dies, Social Security Can Plummet: How Annuities Help Plug the Gap

Most retired couples rely heavily on Social Security benefits. When one spouse dies, there's often a major loss of their benefits.

The surviving spouse will get either their own benefit or the survivor benefit (the deceased spouse's benefit), whichever is higher. If one spouse's benefits are low, the impact on income will be small.

But when both spouses are collecting substantial benefits, as is often the case, there will be a significant reduction that could last for many years.

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