Certified Senior Advisor (CSA) Practice Test

When a spouse with an existing Social Security record passes away, the survivor is allowed to choose between the benefits based on their own work history and the benefits they would receive from the deceased spouse's record. This option is beneficial because it allows the survivor to maximize their Social Security income. If the survivor's benefit based on their own record is lower than what they would receive as a survivor benefit, they can claim the higher amount from their deceased spouse's record. This flexibility is designed to provide support to the surviving spouse, ensuring they have access to the most advantageous benefit available to them.

In contrast, other options do not accurately describe the process. For example, if benefits were to stop immediately or only a small portion were retained, it would not align with Social Security regulations aimed at supporting surviving spouses. Additionally, simply receiving a portion based on their own work record does not consider the option to choose the higher benefit available to them.