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Social Security Handbook
407.Amount of Widow(er)'s Insurance Benefit407.1How is the widow(er)'s benefit rate  computed? The widow(er)'s insurance benefit rate equals 100 percent of
the  deceased worker's primary insurance amount plus any  additional amount the deceased worker was entitled to because
of delayed  retirement credits. (See  §720.)          407.2When is the benefit rate  less?Your widow(er)'s insurance benefit payable may be less than
what was  computed above if any of the conditions below apply: A reduction is necessary because the “family
maximum” applies (this reduction is discussed in  §§731-732);  You are also entitled to a smaller retirement insurance
or  disability insurance benefit (only the difference between the
larger  widow(er)'s insurance benefit and the other benefit is payable
as the  widow(er)'s insurance benefit; however, this amount is payable
in addition  to the other benefit); You are entitled for months before the month you reach
retirement age. See  §§723-725  for an explanation of how the reduced rate is computed; You choose to receive and are paid a reduced widow(er)'s
benefit for months before you reach retirement age. A reduced benefit
rate  is payable for as long as you are entitled to widow(er)'s benefits.
For a  possible adjustment at age 62 and retirement age, see  §728; NOTE: Entitlement to this reduced rate
may  result in a reduction in any disability or retirement insurance
benefit to  which you may later become entitled. You are caring for your deceased spouse's child and:
The child is under age 16 or disabled; The child is entitled to child's insurance benefits;
andYou have not reached retirement age. In this case,
your  widow(er)'s benefits are not reduced for those months below
75 percent of  the deceased spouse's primary insurance amount; or The deceased worker was entitled to a reduced retirement
benefit for the month before the month he or she died.
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