This article appears as part of Casey Weade's Weekend Reading for Retirees series. Every Friday, Casey highlights four hand-picked articles on trending retirement topics and delivers them straight to your email inbox. Get on the list here.

If you’re retired or approaching retirement, especially as part of a couple, this is the time to understand what will actually happen if one Social Security check disappears and how benefits are transferred.

Key Takeaways:

📌 You only receive one Social Security benefit: The higher of your own or your deceased spouse’s, not both

📌 Timing matters: Claiming survivor benefits before full retirement age reduces the amount

📌 Advance planning is critical: Ensure names match across documents, beneficiary designations are current, and that both partners know what to expect

📌 Survivor benefits are often more complicated than regular Social Security: Plus, clerical errors can cause massive delays

Make Note: As you reflect on your own retirement strategy, let this be a nudge to ensure your plan not only supports your life’s purpose—but protects your loved ones when you’re gone.